Thanks a lot to Igoogleeverything, Daphne, kavane, RogueRaina and storyteller1333. This goes for you!

Ironic

Part VI: of how Bella Swan didn't die... again.

Although we hadn't fully clarified our doubts about each other, at least both decided we weren't a mutual threat, and from that day Edward and I returned to our old way of peaceful coexistence. If something had changed, at least, that was we often greeted each other when we met in the hallways, or the cafeteria, while he was surrounded by his brothers-who seemed to be very aware of the situation, because they looked at me with more disgust than the rest of students.

I wanted this whole thing with Edward to go down my list of preoccupations, even when I was still going to the VPP. However, it was impossible when all that Jessica did was to walk around me, throwing one or another theory about my sudden rapprochement with Cullen. I tried to ignore her-I truly did, but sometimes her gossipy side was more powerful than my self-control, and I ended up denying her words, which, according to her logic, was the same as affirming them.

"You had sex with him," she said as she entangled her ponytail on her index finger, looking at me like I was caught in the act. "You had wild, crazy monkey sex with Edward Cullen. And he liked it. Otherwise, he wouldn't even look at you."

"I didn't..."

"Of course you did!" she mouthed off. More than one turned to look at her, and I feared what else she would say, now that people were paying attention to her words. "You kissed, now you tell."

I tried to put my best 'I have not a damn thing to tell you' face, but the bell rang at that moment and, oh glory, Jessica seemed so excited to have to see Mike the next class. I was grateful that she began to move away, even if slowly, from my spot beside my locker until, before disappearing around a corner, she threatened, "don't dare to think you got away from me, Swan! I'll wait for you after classes!"

And yes, I knew that, even when absolutely nothing of what was going on in her twisted mind was true, there was no escape. Unless I managed to get out a few minutes early from History...

Unlike the previous days, it was hard for me to pay attention, because I was hoping that, by divine illumination or any other mean, I could find a way to sneak out of class. Although I must admit that I was also quite concerned about what would I say to Jessica. Admitting something had happened between Edward and I seemed to be the most simple solution, but it wasn't an easy way out, since I would have to invent the dirty details of our meeting, and I must acknowledge I was a little ignorant on such subject, so I wouldn't really know what to say. And even if I did, lying would not be easy because I was afraid that Jessica wouldn't shut her mouth and my words could reach Edward's fine ear-he said something about being too intuitive, or something alike, and what his reaction could be scared me.

It was my great fortune that I hadn't needed to use any tactic of distraction to retire early, since the class ended when the teacher had to leave suddenly.

And then my great happiness!

Charlie had forgiven me, at least moderately, and he gave me back my truck keys. It wasn't a nice modern car like Edward's (damn Jessica, she made me think too much about him), but at least it was functional and it helped me to move around town when I needed it. I grabbed the keys from my pocket while crossing the parking lot, but when I was about to reach the safety of my lovely vehicle, Jessica's voice reached me. It was like a buzz, like having a mosquito flying around my ear constantly but, annoying as hell as it was, I could still pretend not to hear her and get away now.

I turned my head a bit and I managed to get a glimpse of her, accompanied by Mike and Eric. I guess my usual clumsiness took the best of me, because that unfocused me from my current task and I almost slipped on the ice that had formed on the wasted pavement. Again I looked their faces, and the other guys at school too, which features seemed strange. Nobody seemed about laughing for my almost meeting with the ground; on the contrary, something like horror was coming from their faces. I kept walking, now more cautiously, and when I was finally next to my truck, I turned to them, it didn't matter if Jessica noticed that I was clearly running from her. That's when I saw it.

Well, maybe at first I did not see it, since I was spellbound by Jessica, because it seemed like a cry got caught in her throat. After that I heard the screech-tires drifting on the ice, and then... then Tyler's van appeared in front of my face, going straight into my way.

I think people usually try not to think a lot about the way they will die. Even I, despite my paranoia of the past few weeks, tried not to think about it. But in the brief moment when Tyler's van almost hit mine, with me between them, I thought, given my clumsiness and usual state of distraction, it was almost the right way for my life to end.

No thought to prepare me for the inevitable came to me this time. I just stared at Tyler, wanting to forgive him with just my gaze. I closed my eyes when I noticed that he no longer paid attention to me, fully aware that there was no way to save me, and that at least he could spare himself a few scratches. I waited for the blow, waited for the pain, but these never came.

However, I felt that I was closer to the ground. When I realized that not a single part of my anatomy was hurting, I opened my eyes, waiting for the horrible sight that awaited me. Instead, I found Edward's face, just an inch away from mine, his amber eyes quietly reassuring me like nothing ever had.

All I heard at that moment was the beating of my heart. I think I tried to say something-maybe I did, but I couldn't hear anything. I could do nothing, in fact, rather than looking at him, drowning in the honey of his eyes, while mine drifted slowly to his lips...

And then, as soon as Cullen left in a hurried jump, my senses returned to me. There was a great commotion, and my friends approached me screaming in an almost perfect synchrony:

"Bella, are you okay?!"

I was circled by many people, many strangers among them, who repeated this question over and over again, hoping that I might answer 'yes'. My voice did not return completely to me, so the sounds coming from my mouth were more like squeals than anything else. Long story short, no one understood what I was saying, heck, I don't even remember what it was.

I looked at my surroundings, looking desperately for him, begging it wasn't just a very vivid hallucination. I didn't know if it was an affirmation, but all I found at that distance was the disapproving look his siblings gave him. Edward, meanwhile, paid no more attention to the chaos behind him, increasing my confusion. Did he really saved me? Why had he risked so much for me?

I tried to cry up his name, but only a faint whisper managed to escape from my mouth. Eric asked me several times what I had said, but I couldn't repeat it. Someone heard me, though, and I knew it as soon as I saw the wicked grin that slowly rose on Jessica's lips.

Oh. Shit.

To be continued...

A/N: My apologies if someone thinks Jessica is OOC or that I'm being unfair with her. I actually don't like her that much, but I need her in this story, and just in this gossipy, annoying way.