Chapter 3: I Had to Pull the Mainer Card

I woke up to a shriek of happiness before a mass landed on my stomach.

I rolled over, clutching the sore spot as Alisha toppled to the floor.

"Meany!" She said, but her voice was filled with happiness.

"You deserved it." I said, play glaring at her.

She laughed and climbed back on the bed. "Outside is all ice. Can we go ice skating tonight? Daddy says the giant puddle in the yard is frozen enough so we can!"

I looked out the window and had to catch my breath. The light was shinning through frozen crystal, making small rainbows. Ice covered every surface, turning the entire world into a glass forest. My hand was itching to take a picture of the beauty before it passed.

"Please, please, please, please!" Alisha begged.

I laughed, sitting up and tickling her. Squeals erupted as her brown hair splayed around her face and her eyes filled with unshed tears.

"Maybe after school." I told her as she caught her breath. "But right now we need to get ready. Race you?"

She shot off like a rocket to her room and I laughed. Little kids were adorable. Now it was my turn to get dressed. Ten minutes later I met Alisha down stairs, trying to get herself a bowl of cereal but not quite able to grab the box. I tipped it, allowing her to touch the edge. She grinned before pouring herself a bowl.

"Is dad up yet?" I asked.

She shook her head no. "He said he was bringing me to school. I'm gonna go jump on him after I finish my cereal."

I laughed at her statement. "Okay, well I need to get headed. I'll pick you up after school and we'll see about ice skating." I told her as I gave her a kiss on her forehead.

She merely nodded, her mouth too full of cornflakes to speak.

It was only when I stepped outside that I fully realized just how bad the ice was. A thin sheet covered the road and I knew the drive there would be a hazard. I contemplated just staying home but icy roads weren't something new to me. They were a standard when it came to Maine. I shrugged, just deciding I would take it slow.

The drive to school only took about ten minutes, which was nice considering the death grip I had on the steering wheel. As soon as I was parked, I was shaking my wrists out, trying to get rid of the numbing pain.

I could spot Lauren hanging by the front door. I smiled when she caught sight and waved. At a request from the coach, the both of us were going over the routine, trying to find things that could be changed and might look better. Because I was new, she thought I might see things differently than the others. For Lauren it had turned out that she was one of the captains which is why she was doing the mini project with me.

I had walked half way across the parking lot when I got the call from Alisha.

"Dad just got called into work. Do you think you could come and bring me to school?" She asked.

I sighed, knowing I would be late for my first class. "Yeah, I'll come back, be ready by the door."

"Okay, I'll tell dad. He said he was sorry."

"Yeah, yeah. See you in a bit."

She hung up with an upbeat bye. I turned back to my car, waving a quick goodbye to Lauren. I was just level with the back tires when there was a high pitched squeal that was becoming painfully loud. I looked up to see a dark van heading straight towards me, a frantic Tyler at the wheel.

In that moment I knew I was going to be hit, I also knew that there was nothing I could do but I still launched myself back. At the most it added another second to my life. One more second for my heart to keep pumping before it ended.

I closed my eyes and in that moment one thought flashed through me head. Was this how mom felt?

I was ready for the impact but what I wasn't ready for was the stone cold length that hit me along my stomach, forcing me backwards and then I was airborne and it wasn't the I'm flying type. It was the what's happening? Why haven't I hit the ground yet? type. Three years of jijitsu took over from there. I forced my body to turn, most of the force being dispersed as my thigh and foot hit the ground. My arm swung down, slapping against the ice and slowing my decent. By the time I had landed, the worst I had gotten was hitting my elbow against the car next to me, eliciting a decent bang and a curse from me.

The crunch of the van hitting my car sounded but that didn't stop the van. I watched in horror as it continued, straight towards me. What? Was I a magnet or something? I pulled my legs in, knowing that it to wouldn't do any good. That was when white hands shot out, hitting against the van and stopping it in it's path. It shuttered before going still, glass popping from windows above.

The whole thing was over in four seconds and as the noise faded into a moment of utter silence, I became aware of the pounding of my heart. My feet were only six inches from being crushed by the van. I could hear myself gasping, my chest heaving. I knew without a doubt I shouldn't be alive right now. So how was I?

The question spun in my head, my heart still pounding as my brain tried to figure out what happened. I turned coming face to face with a startled looking Edward Cullen. Then all the screaming started. Students were running, yelling out what to do and I could see at least three people who had pulled out their phones, probably calling 911.

"Anna," Edward said, sounding slightly frantic. "Anna, are you okay?"

Of all things to do at that moment, I got annoyed that he was calling me by a nickname. "Annabell," I corrected.

Surprise flashed across his face before he chuckled. "Annabell," he said, smiling this time. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, moving my arm and noting the pain that came with it. Nothing to bad but noticeable. "I think so." I sat up, leaning against the cold metal of the car behind me. "How did you do that?"

My questions seemed to surprise him and his smile disappeared replaced by confusion. "What do you mean? All I did was pull you out of the way."

I gaped at him in surprise, knowing that hadn't been true. "Your hands!" I said, reaching out and grabbing his. They were white, just like the rest of his skin and seemed perfectly fine, if not a little cold.

He looked concerned at that but there was also fear in his eyes. "I didn't do anything. Are you sure your okay? If you're seeing things then you might have hit your head." He said.

I bit my lip, glaring. Was he trying to say I was crazy? Before I could say anything else, the shouting grew and sirens could be heard in the distance. I went to stand, trying to get off the cold ground. Edward put his hand on my shoulder, forcing me down. "You should stay, just in case you're hurt."

I couldn't stop the growl in the back of my throat. I had already said that I was fine.

It took three teachers and both the EMT's to shift the van far enough away for them to get us out of the little hole that had been created by the three cars. As they did, I noticed the damage to my own car and groaned. The rear end was smashed and I was no technician, but I was sure that the tire wasn't supposed to be slanted at that angle. It looked like it had been hit by a wrecking ball, but then again that could have just been Edward's back.

The EMT's were trying to convince us to go to the hospital at that point. I was trying to tell them that I was fine when Edward said that I might have hit my head. The traitor, although liar might have been a better term. They tried to put a neck brace on me but after refusing they finally settled on just strapping my down on the rolling bed. In my head I was flinging curses at Edward as he climbed in the front.

The ride to the hospital was short and there was a flurry of activity as soon as we pulled up. They pushed me to the E.R. placing me on one of the beds seeming to them I didn't have the power to do it myself. Yeah, right. I was going to kill Edward the next time I saw him.

I was distracted from my thoughts of murder as I heard the call. "Anny!"

I looked up and saw my dad running in, Alisha clutching his hand beside him. The worry was evident on his face and I wanted to kick myself. It was the same as what happened with mom. I can't believe I didn't think about them. Alisha had tears running down her cheeks as she climbed up on the bed, curling into my lap. I put my arms around her, tears springing to my own eyes at the thought of what would have happened if Edward hadn't saved me. In that moment I didn't care how he had done it, I just cared that he had.

"I got a call saying you had been in an accident." Dad said, his blue eyes filled with worry, creases forming around them. He put his hand on my shoulder and I could feel the tremors running through them. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, not releasing my hold on Alisha. I didn't know why Edward was being so secretive but I could at least respect that because he saved my life, I just hated that meant lying for him. "I'm fine. A boy from class happened to be next to me and he pulled me out of the way." I told him.

He nodded, accepting my story. "I'm going to go see about getting you examined. I'll leave Alisha here."

I nodded before he disappeared behind some sliding doors. Alisha crying had subsided and now she just lay in my arms, clutching the front of my shirt. I pressed a kiss to the top of her head, just glad I was still able to do that in this moment.

There was another flurry as a stretcher was rolled in next to me. Tyler was laying on it, bandages wrapped around his head. He was covered in cuts, probably from the shattered glass. "I'm so sorry, Annabell. I was going to fast and I hit the ice wrong. I thought I was going to kill you." He said, his eyes pleading with me.

I smiled at him, nodding in understanding. "Don't worry. I don't even have any scrapes." I reassured.

"Thank god." He sighed. "You were there one minute and then just gone. What happened?"

I laid my head against Alisha's as she peered out between strands of hair at the boy next to us. "Cullen pulled me out of the way." I explained, once again. "I was really lucky that he was there."

He looked surprised before slowly nodding. "I guess. I didn't even see him. It all happened so fast. Is he okay?"

I nodded, not saying that I was sure he could probably get hit by a bus and nothing would happen. I leaned my head back then, Alisha still seated in my lap as I replayed what had happened. The noise, the shove, which now that I think about it might have just been Edward tackling me. His pale hands against the dark blue van. His back wedge against a dent in the other car. There was definitely something going on. No one should be undamaged after taking that many hits.

As if thinking about him made him appear, Edward showed up just then, walking through the bustle of hospital life, looking as pristine as if he hadn't been involved at all. As Tyler noticed him he started another round of apologies. Edward simply waved it off, sitting on the end of his bed.

Alisha gave a slight tug on my hair, looking to me and then at the two others. She wanted to be introduced. "You guys, this is my sister, Alisha." I said, motioning to her as she uncurled herself to sit normally. The tear tracks had mostly dried but I wiped away the rest of evidence that she had been crying.

Both boys smiled and said hi as Alisha gazed at Edward, open curiosity in her eyes. She crawled to the end of my bed so she was even with him. "Thank you for saving Anny." She said, completely serious before sitting back in my lap.

I chuckled. God, how I love her. Edward smiled at her too. It was then that she turned to Tyler. "I don't like you." She proudly proclaimed.

I laughed again and poked her nose. She looked up and smiled.

"I don't blame you." Tyler said, sheepishly before glancing at me.

It was then that Dad walked back in followed by a man that must have been a Cullen. His golden hair was tousled, his eyes the same shade that Alice's and Edward's had been yesterday. He was pale and as he walked down, every female in the room turned to stare at him. By the distracted glances they were throwing his way, I wondered how any work got done with him around.

Dad led the way over to us, giving a strained smile as he made the introductions. "Carlisle, this is my daughter, Anna."

His smiled as he extended his hand. I took it, noticing how cold his hand seemed to be, the same as Edwards. "It's nice to meet you." I said.

"And you as well. Now, I hear that you were in an accident. Is anything hurt?" He asked.

I quickly flexed my arm, making sure that it wasn't bad enough to require medical attention. "Just a few bumps and bruises." I told him.

He nodded, looking at a clipboard he carried. "Edward says that you might have hit your head."

I breathed through my nose, trying not to get mad but then again, Edward had saved me. If he wanted to insist that hitting my head was the reason I saw him stop the van, I could at least play along. "Sure." I said, dryly.

Both Edward and Dr. Cullen's eyes widened slightly at that. "Really?" Edward asked, almost sounding worried.

I shrugged, feigning innocence. "It all happened so fast, who knows. I don't remember hitting my head but that doesn't mean that I didn't."

Dr. Cullen set his clipboard aside and quickly moved his hand over my head, trying to feel any bumps that I knew were not there. As I looked up into his eyes, I realized that we both knew what was going on. He was in on the secret, he knew that I was just lying and yet he was playing along. "There doesn't seem to be any outward sign. If there is any pain, let me know. Other then that you're free to go home." He told me, stepping back.

I could feel my lips purse as I considered him. He was definitely in on whatever was happening.

"Can't I go back to school now?" I asked.

"Well, most of the school seems to be in the waiting room." He said, merrily.

I couldn't hold back the groan as I hid my face in Alisha's hair. She laughed. "But I have cheering tonight." I protested weakly.

"Perhaps you should be refrain from joining during practice for a week, just as a precaution."

I'm sure the horror was plain on my face as he said that. He couldn't make me. What would the coach say? I mean I had only been on the team for a week and now this. Besides, I knew there wasn't anything wrong with me. I considered arguing but at this moment I just wanted to get out of here more than anything.

I stood up, Alisha still in my arms. I looked down at her. "You know, you're starting to get too big for this." I said.

She smiled and I turned to dad. "Do you still have to work your shift?" I asked.

His seemed to tense before nodding slightly. "If you're not seriously hurt then I still have to. I could try and get it off but with what happened back in Maine, I can't do a repeat." He told me, quietly so the others wouldn't hear.

I nodded in understanding, he needed this job and this was just about the only hospital that seemed to understand and was willing to hire him after what had happened. "Okay. Well, I'll take Alisha to the house then." I told him before giving her a squeeze. "We can have another day at home."

She smiled and giggled. "Ice skating?"

I smiled back.

"Here are the car keys, I'll get a ride home from someone." He held out said keys.

During the small conversation we had, Dr. Cullen had moved onto Tyler, inspected his cuts. Edward was still focused on us but as Dad held out the keys, he froze.

"Wait." Everyone within the vicinity seemed to pause and look at Edward. "You just got in an accident. I'm not sure that you are well enough to be driving so soon."

Seriously? I fought the urge to glare at him. I just wanted to get out of here already.

"Not to mention that if you did hit you're head, someone should be there to monitor you in case there are any symptoms."

My dad paused, considering whether or not he could really get the shift off.

"I could give you a ride back and stay with you until your father gets home." Edward offered.

I froze while in my arms, Alisha started to get excited. "Please, could you? You can come and ice skate with us and we can have hot chocolate together and we can watch a movie." Alisha continued but at this point I blocked her out.

"I'm sure that I can handle it." I said, gritting my teeth. I was already through with this day. Why couldn't I just have stayed in bed? Oh, right, because I had to pull the Mainer card.

Dad paused before pulling his keys back to him. "That might actually be a good idea."

"Dad!" I cried. Edward smiled, finding the situation humorous. Behind him I could see Dr. Cullen trying not to smile as the scene went on.

"Well, Alice can come then or I could call Lauren. We're supposed to be going over cheering stuff anyways."

As if speaking any of their names summoned all the Cullens, Alice walked in through the door, beaming. She walked up to Edward who seemed to be glowering. I would have to be careful not to mention any of the other names.

"You ready to go Edward. The others want to get home." She said, smiling at me.

Dr. Cullen took that moment to step back into the conversation. "It seems that Edward will be accompanying Annabell home."

Alice squealed. "We can all come with you then. We can have a mini party."

Although I loved Alice's enthusiasm, I wasn't that up to having a Cullen party at the moment. I looked to dad for help.

He saw my pleading look but shook his head. "I'd rather have someone with you and I'm sure they know what signs to look for. I won't take chances."

I wanted to bang my head against the wall. All this just because I decided to go along with Edward's lie? Why couldn't I have just kept saying that I didn't hit my head? It all would have been so much easier.

My dad held his keys out to Edward who took them, his smile stiff.

"Edward can drive you home and I can follow with everyone else in the volvo. Oh, we're going to have so much fun." Before I could say anything else, Alice quickly turned and left through the door hurrying faster than I thought would be possible. How did I get myself into this?

"Shall we?" Edward said, gesturing towards the door.

I groaned as I headed. "Bye Dad." I called.

As we got outside, Alisha pointed to where the car was parked and we climbed in, Alisha buckling herself into the booster seat. The ride home was silent, even Alisha was able to feel the tension.

Within ten minutes Edward pulled up in front of my house, the silver volvo already parked outside. I could see Alice in the drivers seat, grinning and just about bouncing. Jasper sat next to her, looking slightly guarded. I could just barely make out Rosalie's glare as she sat in the back seat and Emmett beside her seemed to have caught some of Alice's excitement.

I opened the door and stepped out but my sneaker slipped on the icy ground. I caught myself on the door, barely avoiding being sprawled onto the ground for a second time that day. Despite the fact that I had saved myself, I could still hear muted laughter.

I so wasn't going to enjoy this.

So, I hope you are all enjoying this story and as an end note, if you want to leave a review, I would love to get some. If there is something you like, if my grammar sucks, if you have any questions please let me know but if you are going to leave a review, please make sure it is something I will be able to understand. I want reviews that will help make this story better, not ones that don't even make sense. On that note, everyone have a good day, I hope you enjoyed.