we're kind of inexplicable

Bella's return - she's decided that no one knows a damn thing about how quickly fractures of unknown severity can heal, so she's not limping anymore, and wears only a mostly-symbolic handful of (actual) bandaids in some visible locations - is the talk of the school. Mike even talks to her again, solicitously demanding (annoying), wanting the story, wanting to be the first to know if she needs anything, wanting to walk her to class in case she falls; she's cool to him, but not outright cold, she doesn't want enemies if she doesn't have to make them. Tyler Crowley, van driver, apologizes so profusely that she expects him to offer her his life in servitude. Jessica cases Bella quickly and efficiently for any details of the story that weren't obvious (Bella hit by van, injured, out of school two weeks, back with only minor scratches left) and then serves as a very convenient buffer for everyone else. Eric wants to know if Bella has scars. Lauren wants to know if Bella's car is fixed yet. Angela doesn't like the attention she's getting for having been Bella's schoolwork-ferry for the duration.

Bella wants to eat her damn lunch. Sigh.

now isn't that something

Everyone's found out about Alice's dad the next day. "You know your friend Delaney? His dad is in jail!!" is the first thing Jessica says at lunch.

"Criminal tendencies run in the family, I guess," Mike says darkly.

"Mike, be nice," pouts Jessica. "It was for abuse!"

"Doesn't that run in families too," Lauren says; it's not really a question. "Bella, I dunno if you're sleeping with him yet, but don't have his kids, right?"

"Bella's not sleeping with Hammond!" exclaims Mike stridently. This exclamation is not less annoying for being true.

"You're not, right?" Eric asks Bella. She rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

"Grow manners," says Jessica. It's not clear to whom.

"Grow eyes," snorts Lauren. "Delaney wants to bang her worse than you do, Mike, and I read the paper too and now he's got millions of dollars."

"I do not - I haven't - you're -" sputters Mike.

Bella has no idea why these people still sit with her. All she did was plunk down next to Angela and Angela's new boyfriend Ben. She remains stoically silent.