Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters.

This short FF in set between New Moon and Eclipse. If bullying offends you, please don't read.

Bella

I got home from school in tears. Charlie was working, and would be til late. All the Cullen's except for Esme and Carlisle had gone hunting for the weekend. Carlisle was picking me up soon after his shift at work. Edward wouldn't allow me to be by myself while he was away, so he was making he stay with Carlisle and Esme all weekend until he got back.

Jessica and Lauren took advantage of today when none of them were at school. It was partially my fault, I shouldn't have told them off for their bitching. I had a bruise on my face from Jessica's slap, and they called me all the names you can think of. I didn't fight back. I couldn't. Charlie would be angry with me, Edward would be too. Esme and Carlisle would be disappointed. I didn't know how to fight anyway.

Now I was tempted to call Carlisle, tell him I didn't need to come over, but I knew he would insist. Edward warned him that I would try that. That I wouldn't want to be there.

I didn't need permission to see Jacob; he said I could go if I wanted, but not when he was out of town. He needed to be available. Close enough to come get me if Jacob and I fought again. We compromised on this, and I didn't mind. I just wish he would allow Jacob to come see me instead when he was away.

Tears were still running down my cheeks when a knock on the door knocked me out of my thoughts. I wiped them away as I walked to the door, my bag on my shoulder.

I opened it and avoided his eyes. "Hey Carlisle." I mumbled.

"Bella, are you okay?" He asked.

I nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine." I tried to make myself sound uninterested, but my voice was a little shaky.

There was silence for a second and I knew he was thinking about what to do "Okay, well are you ready?"

"Yeah." I stepped out the door and he took my bag from me. "Thanks." I was talking quietly. It was easier to keep my voice level this way.

We drove in silence until he tried again, "How was your day?"

"It was good. How was work?"

"Slow." He smiled. "Can I ask about the bruise?"

I sighed, "I'd rather you didn't."

"Bella…"

"It's nothing. Lauren just got upset with me today, is all."

"She slapped you!?" He didn't notice that he sped up a bit.

"It's nothing." I shrugged my shoulders.

"Why?"

"Hmm?"

"Why did she slap you?"

I cleared my throat a little. "It was my fault, I said something."

"What did you say?"

"I told them to stop bitching about my sisters…"

"Alice and Rosalie?"

I nodded. "They were saying some pretty offensive stuff right in front of me, as if it wouldn't piss me off."

I saw a small proud smile spread on his face, "I'm sure Rosalie will be ecstatic."

"Please don't tell anyone, and please don't think about it when Edward is back."

"Bella—"

"It's not important and it's nothing to worry about." I cut him off.

"Bella, it's bullying. Did they do anything else?"

"Think of every offensive thing someone could call me. They said it all."

He sighed, "I have to do something about it, Bella."

"No, you really don't."

"I do. Esme will see the bruise, so I'll have to tell her, and I either have to tell Charlie or the school."

I tried to argue, but he cut me off, "Bella, I will not stand by while my daughter is bullied."

I slumped in the chair, "I should never have said anything." I mumbled.

He stopped the car as soon as it left my mouth. I regretted it straight away, and stared at my hands as he looked at me.

"Bella, look at me."

I hesitated and looked up at him.

"If it were anything else, anything that didn't put you at risk of any sort of harm, I wouldn't say a word. Not even to Esme. This situation we're talking about it potentially dangerous for you, and so I have to do something about it. But I don't want you to feel like you can't talk to me about anything. I am always available, okay?"

I nodded and looked forwards to the road.

He sighed and started driving again. Another few minutes, and we reached the house.

He took my bag inside and put it in Edward's room which now had a bed in it. I guess it was sort of my room now.

"Bella." Esme smiled as she met us at the door. Her warm smile faded as she saw the bruise. "That's human inflicted…"

I took in a breath and looked down at my feet.

Carlisle sighed, "She's having trouble with the girls at school again."

"And we're doing something about it this time, right?"

"Yes. I'll go in on Monday."

I looked up when I heard Esme walk towards me. She hugged me, and I returned the gesture.

"It'll go away in a few days." She assured, inspecting it closer.

"Before Edward gets back?" I asked.

She nodded and smiled sympathetically.

"How do you know?"

"…Experience." She looked at Carlisle briefly.

"Oh…sorry I shouldn't have asked."

"No, it's okay."

"Okay, well I have homework, so…"

She nodded and stepped out of the way. I walked upstairs without glancing back. I felt tears start to well in my eyes again.

Once I was at the top of the staircase, I turned and looked back down them. Esme was standing in Carlisle's arms. He kissed her once, and I saw the look in his eyes. It was as if he was falling in love all over again, but for the very first time. Edward had told me that it would always be like that with them, but I hoped it would be for us, too.

I decided I would do some homework, as I hadn't done anything at school today.