Sunlight - Book 3

Chapter 14

I sat in my Chamber Music class listening to the instructor going over the announcements and events coming up within the next month. I was happy to know that I would be able to perform with the rest of the class at our first concert held at a very prestigious wine mixer at the Space Needle.

The wine mixer was being put together by my very own family and the funds would be going towards the hospital and the schools music funds.

"You each will be receiving a folder for your music that you need to learn flawlessly by the end of the month." The instructor went on. "For the rest of the class you will be practicing your pieces while I call you down to take measurements. When I call your name you will head next door to my office where my aid will take your measurements." She nodded towards a male who sat attentively behind a desk.

My mouth parted as I spied the familiar red haired boy who was my friend. Gregory. I could have sworn I saw him give a subtle smile in my direction. I smiled back and then flushed before I turned my head.

"Begin." the teacher said.

I rose fluidly to my feet and went to the front where the folders sat on top of the piano. I flicked through them and found mine -twelveth from the top- and grabbed it before I moved around to the bench and took my seat.

Opening up my folder I brought out the first piece and stuck it up on the music stand. It was a piece called Beethoven's 5 Secrets by The Piano Guys & Lyceum Orchestra. If I was a cartoon my mouth would've hit the floor. This orchestra was a hit so in order to gain rights to perform this for financial beneficy it would have cost upwards of five hundred grand.

To my own curiosity I continued to flip quickly through the remainder of my music and saw we were playing not one piece by them but four and three by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

I couldn't believe my eyes. This music was beyond anyones imagination when it came to selection. I could only imagine what we played on an average day if this was our selection for performances. Then again this school and the hospital were gems of investment to my family. In order to keep it flourishing they had to have the best.

Taking a breath to regain myself from my over-excitement I straightened my posture and moved my hands to home on the piano before I began to gradually play my piece. As I played my music I allowed my senses to pick up everyone else's parts before I put them together. Though I had never heard this song before I could already imagine it in whole. It was elegant and beautiful.

With the perfection of my hearing I was able to pick out flaws in everyone else's music. It was easy to tell where a flat or sharp should've been in the song by the way it sounded. My father taught me that when he began teaching me the piano.

After I had finished a runthrough of the first song I moved to the second, A Lasting Illusion by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This one I had heard before so it was easy to know where people were screwing up. Though to my surprise there were very few. Then again Music was mandatory for the first four years meaning everyone in this school knew how to play an instrument.

I was well into my seventh piece when my name was called. I gathered my music and bag, since there was only ten minutes left in class, and headed out to the office next door.

Next door was a bit of an understatement since it was three doors to my left. When I entered the room Gregory was sitting casually in a chair with measurement tape -like the one my grandpa Carlisle used to measure me when I was little- over his shoulder.

I closed the door and set my things down.

"Hi!" I said cheerfully. He didn't acknowledge me.

Very slowly he rose to his feet without bothering to look at me. I took a deep breath as I felt an air of uneasiness settle around me. Was he okay?

"Gregory?" I whispered.

His eyes flickered up at me quickly.

Taking the tape from his shoulder he nodded his head at me.

"Undress." He said simply.

I shook my head. "My father told me I'm not supposed to undress infront of people unless it's my mother." I felt my face flush as I remembered the embarrasment I felt when my parents talked to me about that.

Gregory stared silently as if he was contemplating something, then he took a breath. "You're parents are right but it's okay because I am taking your measurements so we know what size uniform you will need for your performances."

I took a step back, wrapped my arms securely around my waist. "I.... don't want to get in trouble."

"You won't get in trouble Renesmee I promise. I'm your friend remember. Friends don't lie to each other." He smiled at me.

I bit my lip nervously before dropping my gaze to my feet. He was right, we were friends. But still my father said I wasn't supposed to.

I looked back up at him and his smiled widened. Taking a deep breath I nodded my head before I slowly and uncomfortably began undressing until I was standing in just my undergarmets.

"See. That wasn't so hard now was it?" He said before he moved closer and began measuring me.

As I stood before him I could feel the shame radiating off of me in waves. I knew I had done something wrong even though Gregory had told me it was ok. Maybe he was right. Maybe this was the only exception to what my father had told me. Would my father agree or would he be angry?

I felt a tear roll down my cheek as I watched him right down a few numbers on the page. Then he set the tape down on the desk.

He looked at me and moistened his lips before taking a step towards me.

"Want to have a little fun?" He asked me.

I ran my hand along the length of my arm before I shook my head. My mind was set on putting my clothes back on so I felt comfortable.

The next thing I noticed was his finger running down my cheek and his lips against mine. Only this time everything felt so wrong. I knew I wasn't supposed to undress infront of people so this was definitely not appropriate.

"I can't. I shouldn't." I breathed.

Gregory stopped and stepped back. "It's okay, we aren't doing anything wrong." He said in a sincere voice.

I shrugged my shoulders before I reached down to my backpack and pulled out my phone.

"What are you doing?" He asked me.

I thought about calling my dad but that didn't seem like a good idea. If I was doing something wrong my dad was the last person I wanted to know. I didn't want him to be upset. So I pressed the number for Jake's cell and clicked the call button.

"You shouldn't do that." He said before quickly reaching out to snach my phone from me.

I moved my arm behind my back. "Why?" I asked curiously. "If we aren't doing anything wrong then why can't I ask my friend?"

He was making me nervous by the second.

"Friends with Benefits is a secret thing."

"Why does it have to be a secret? Friends shouldn't be secret."

Gregory held up his hands. "Okay just listen to me. Put away the phone and we can have fun but we have to hurry I don't have the Orchestra office for long."

I looked into his eyes. I don't know what it was or what I saw this time around but I knew something wasn't right. I could feel it.

"I'm going to leave." I whispered as I began picking up my clothes to put them on.

Before I could start dressing Gregory had his hand over my mouth and was pushing me up against the desk.

My eyes were widened in fear as I felt him touching me. This wasn't right. Nothing about this was right.

Then the door opened. Gregory turned his head towards the door and I quickly bit him. He released me and I ran over to Jake who quickly removed his jacket and put it around me.

"Who are you?!" Gregory shouted as he sucked on the bite mark I left.

"That is none of your business." He growled before taking a step forward.

My eyes fell to Jake's fists which were clenched and shaking.

"Well then get out of here me and my lady friend have some unfinished business to attend to."

Then Jake lunged forward and began punching Gregory in the face. It only took three punches before I heard a sickening crunch as his nose broke against Jake's fist. The fourth punch rendered him unconscious.

I stared blankly at the man who I thought was my friend and jumped slightly when Jake touched my arm.

"Hey Ness are you okay?" He asked me as he handed me my clothes.

I stared into space not knowing what had just happened. The guy who had said he was my friend tried to hurt me. I felt numb I couldn't find it in myself to move. I couldn't even feel my limbs.

"Ness?" Jake bent down on one knee so he was at my height. He placed his hands on either side of my shoulder and shook me slightly. "Ness?"

The door opened and my orchestra instructer gasped.

"What is going on in here?" She shrieked.

Jake tightened the shirt around me before rising to his feet. "This little prick-" he gestured towards the unconscious body of Gregory. "-tried to sexually harrasse Renesmee."

"And how would you know-"

"Because she called me just seconds before and I heard him talking before he jumped on her."

I gulped and felt my body begin to tremble as I recalled the look in his eye as he advanced on me.

"Miss Cullen is this true?" I did my best to nod my head. "Very well then. We will leave you to get dressed and then the official's will be called in to deal with this." She opened the door. "You there come."

Before he could take a step I reached out and grabbed his hand. Every molocule of fear my body had was radiating through me. I was afraid to be alone with Gregory even if he was unconscious.

"Please don't leave me Jake." I whispered.

I could see my face in his eyes and I looked frightened. I looked like I had seen death. The teacher shook her head in disgust and closed the door. Once I dropped Jake's hand I returned to stone once more.

"Come on Ness lets get you dressed." Jake lifted up my rigid arms and slipped my shirt on over my head. Then he sat me up on the desk and slid my pants over my ankles before bring me to my feet and pulling them up the rest of the way. "Are you hungry?" He asked as he buttoned my button.

I blinked and shook my head once. I could feel my body begin to tremble.

"I just want to go home." I whispered before tears began falling from my eyes.

Jake wrapped his arms around me and began rubbing my back.

"I know Nessie I know but you need to stay in school okay?" He released me and held me at arms length. "Atleast try and if you don't think you can handle it then I will call your mom and dad and see what they want us to do."

I lifted my gaze and looked into his eyes. "Okay, I'll try."

Jake grazed his thumb along my cheek bone and then brushed his lips to my forehead. "That's my girl." He smiled. I smiled back.

"So where is your next class?" he asked as he slipped my bag up over his shoulder and took my hand into his.

I shivered as we made contact. Jake noticed this and released my hand.

"No. It's okay." I murmered as I reached out for him.

We joined hands again and exited the room.

"English is next." I added and we made our way to the English building.

"I'll be right here when you get out." He said before kissing my hand.

I took my hand from his and then threw my arms around him. "Thank you Jake." I said before I released him and headed inside.

I quickly took my seat beside Tyler just as the class had began and listened. The lesson was about the many types of biographies. The one we would be writing could be a self biography but we would get extra credit if it is written by a second party.

Tyler wanted to write mine in turn for me writing his and I agreed. I wasn't going to turn down any extra credit even if I didn't need it. Perfection is what I was aiming for.

I was working on sketching an outline of what I wanted included in my biography, from the list of acceptable items we were given, when I heard my name called. I quickly looked up and saw a male dressed in blue with a badge on his chest looking in my direction.

"Sir?" I said doing my best to keep my voice steady.

"Miss. Cullen we would like to ask you a few questions, please come with us."

I turned to Tyler and saw he looked just as confused and worried as I did. What did they want to ask me questions about? Mr. Hawthorne or Gregory?

I rose to my feet and grabbed my back before I was escorted from the classroom. I glanced over at the spot where Jake said he would be and saw he was gone. Where did he go?

The police led me to the front office and into the Headmaster's office. There in chairs around him were my mother, my father and Jake. Across from room, gaurded by two police men, were Mr. Hawthorne and Gregory.

"We are just waiting for Mr. Tyler and then we can begin." The Headmaster said.

Just over a minute later Tyler entered the office and took a seat in the chair on my left.

"This originally was supposed to be a meeting about the events that happened between our very own Mr. Hawthorne, his son and Misses Cullen." The Headmaster said as he looked at a paper before him. "But there have been some recent events today involving a Mr. Jacob Black, Mr. Gregory Jensens and Misses Renesmee Cullen." He glanced up at me. "Please tell us your take on the events ."

I sat up straighter. What was I supposed to say? How could I tell what happened, especially with them in the room. My father, what would my father think?

I quickly looked up at him and saw his face twisted up in what looked like pain. Oh no, I forgot he could read my mind.

"Daddy I'm so sorry." I gasped before I began crying. I moved from my seat and into his arms.

He began rubbing my back. "I'm not mad at you Renesmee." He lifted my chin so he could see into my eyes. "Just tell the Headmaster what happened so he can make sure those men get what they deserve." His voice was bitter near the end.

I retook my seat between Jacob and Tyler.

"I was going to serve my detention given to me by Mr. Hawthorne and while I was there he told me to stay away from his son. I told him that Tyler was my friend and then I told him that Tyler didn't deserve to be treated like he was being treated. Mr. Hawthorne then went on about his wife and daughters death saying it was his son's fault and I yelled at him and told him that Tyler was just a baby at the time and that it was his own fault because he was driving the car when the accident occured. He then hit me and I felt back and hit my head. The last thing I could make absolutely clear in my mind was that he began kicking me."

I watched the Headmaster write down what I was speaking in what looked like shorthand. Once he was finished he pulled forward a fresh piece and then looked up at me.

"Now with Mr. Jensens."

"I was in my orchestra class when my name was called to take measurements for my uniform. I went to the office where it was being held and Gregory told me to take off all my clothes."

"Lying bitch." He snapped at me. He looked at the Headmaster. "Sir she is just trying to get me fired because I wouldn't do anything with her. Then she got her guy friend to beat me up!" He whined as he pointed to his face.

Jake rose to his feet. He crossed the room and got right in Gregory's face. "You are the liar. Renesmee doesn't lie about things like this! I heard you over the phone when she tried to call me."

The Headmaster cleared his throat loudly and the entire room fell silent. "Why were you trying to call him." He asked me.

I sucked in a deep breath. "I was calling to ask if what I was doing was wrong and Gregory didn't want me to. He kept saying I wasn't being bad but I felt like it was all wrong."

"May I ask where you met Mr. Jensens?" he asked.

I looked across the room to my father. "It was the day I was given detention by Mr. Hawthorne. I called my dad and told him I was staying after school to try out for the Lacrosse team so he wouldn't know about me having detention. I felt so bad about lying because I never lie and sat in the courtyard crying to myself. Gregory found me and he talked me better then he asked me if I wanted to be his friend with benefits. I didn't know exactly what that implied so he said he'd show me."

"I'm sorry Miss Cullen but from your appearance I can hardly believe that you wouldn't know about such things." The Headmaster spoke.

"See. I told you. She's a liar." Gregory spat.

I heard Jake growl.

Then it was my father who cleared his voice. "Until recently my daughter has never associated with anyone outside the family. So in turn we never thought it important to have 'the talk' with her."

"Surely she could have figured that out on her own. Especially as smart as she has proven herself." The Headmaster flipped through a filed with my name marked on it. "All honor's classes." He glanced up at me.

What 'talk' were they speaking about?

"We keep any books and educational resources filtered in order to keep ignorance from tainting her innocent mind." My mother said as she took my father's hand. "She know's nothing about the birds and the bees and we'd like to keep it that way for at least a few more years." I saw her glance at Jacob.

"Mom I'm not an i***t. Birds

are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic, egg-laying, vertebrate animals consisting of atleast ten thousand species. And bee's are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax."

My mother looked at the Headmaster and smirked. "Like I said, her innocent mind."

"So since we've given you the gist of the situation can we please call this meeting to an end and prosectute this digusting filth you call men." my father sneered. "Or do I have to start looking for a replacement that can better fullfill the role of Headmaster of my school."

"Mr. Cullen I assure you that you will be happy with the ending results but first I must hear the rest of Miss Cullen's account."

I finished telling what happened. About Gregory attacking me and Jacob saving me and knocking him out. Then the Headmaster fired both of the staff and disbarred them from ever teaching around students again. They then were taken away by the police and I was told that they would be locked away for a really long time.

As I left the office with Tyler I heard one of the receptionists talking about Gregory and how he was in his mid twenties. They were in disbelief and at the same time worried because they had young daughters here too who seemed to change once they were in a class that he aided for. Now they were going to be doing a very thorough investigation to see if I was his first victim or one of many.