A/N: OK. I don't want to start a size debate. But the major thing that pissed me off about the movie. All that girl ate was salad. Literally. It's not cool to just eat salad. I mean yeah, I'm all for a healthy diet. But for the love of God, eating a normal meal will not kill you. Chips, burgers, cookies, cake - THEY WON'T KILL YOU. OK? Do it. Do it now! It is seriously not cute to be so skinny you'd fit into one leg of my jeans. My rant is over, enjoy the chapter and please review!
BPOV
I lunch with Jasper the next day, even though eating with all of them together is a little creepy. They just stare. Every single mouthful I take, they just stare. Although Alice is mainly preoccupied today with messing with my hair.
"Alice, for the love of goodness, please leave my hair alone. I am trying very hard to eat my barbeque chicken wrap, and you are making it difficult for me." Lauren passes by before Alice can reply.
"Oh, hey, Bella. Oh, you're having a wrap. Do you know the fat and calorie content of those?"
"Do you know I can see your collar-bone? Seriously, Lauren. I am a size twelve. Maybe knocking on the door of fourteen, after the Christmas season. I am happy to be a size twelve. At least I look like I'm alive. Being able to count your ribs? That shit is not attractive. Eat a cheeseburger." She sniffs and passes on. Alice bends down and kisses me loudly on the mouth.
"Finally, somebody said it. Jeez, that girl always looks like someone shoved a Christian Louboutin up her ass.
"Bella, I like you just the way you are. Never change. Ever," Jasper says, smiling at me.
"I promise." I finish my wrap and start on my dessert. I've had better cookies. But this one will do. "Alice, what are you doing to my hair?"
"Would you like a hair cut?"
"Uh, I don't know. How much of a hair cut?"
"Maybe a bob."
"Jump off a cliff. You are not cutting my hair. I like it just the way it is. I let you take me shopping, be satisfied with that." I finish up my cookie. They're all still staring at me. "OK, guys, we need to talk about the staring thing."
"What about it?"
"You all watching me eat every day. It's scary. And it's weird. I feel like I'm in a zoo."
"it's just - you know. We can't do it. And it smells weird. We're just curious. Didn't realise it made you so uncomfortable, Bella."
"No, it's cool, Emmett, it just creeps me out. Hey, I have an idea."
"What is it?"
"Maybe I could watch you guys hunt some time." Jasper's hand flexes on mine, and Alice's hands jerk in my hair. "Ow, Alice, that hurt!"
"Sorry," she murmurs. However, she's saying it out of reflex, as opposed to actually meaning it- I can tell by the murmur.
"Bella, have you completely lost your mind? Of course you can't watch us hunt! Do you want to die? My God, that is utter insanity."
"Excuse me, Jasper, but I merely asked a civil question. If you're just going to be vicious about it -"
"Bella, honey, that isn't what he meant. It would be extremely dangerous for you to be anywhere near us when we hunt. We lose all control."
"And this is hardly the place for this conversation," Emmett announces, cutting Edward off. Come back to our place after school. Rosalie tuts at this, and gets up and walks away. I watch her go, but ignore it. What do I care if she doesn't like me?
The thing is - I can't not care. I don't understand why she doesn't like me. I mean, I get why Lauren doesn't like me, she's so far up her own ass she's coming out her mouth, but as far as I know I haven't done anything to Rosalie to make her hate me so much. I mean, I haven't tried to get off with Emmett, I haven't taken anything that belongs to her. I'd understand if she'd caught me wrestling buck naked with Emmett and then had wild sex with him - but I haven't. Ergo - what have I done to make her despise this much? I'll have to ask later.
I get left in the tender care of Emmett and Jasper later. They've all explained why it'd be silly-dangerous for me to be anywhere nearby while they hunt. I put my head in Jasper's lap and my feet in Emmett's. It's comfortable like this. I've been feeling far too hot all day, and it feels nice to rest my head and feet on something cool.
"Emmett, why doesn't Rosalie like me?"
"Bella, it's not so much as she doesn't like you. She's jealous of you. And a little mad at you."
"But - but why?"
"That's something you need to ask Rosalie. But remember that she does like you, but she has to work some stuff out first." Jasper puts his hand on my forehead, and then frowns down at me.
"Bella, you feel awfully hot."
"Yeah, I've been feeling a bit shaky today," I say, shrugging.
"I'll go get Carlisle. Just to get him to take a quick look at you."
"Oh, I'll be OK, it's probably just flu."
"Yeah, but better safe than sorry. Emmett, keep her cool." Before I can protest, Emmett has gathered me up into his arms.
"He's right, Bella. You do feel hotter than normal."
"It's probably nothing."
JPOV
Carlisle takes her into his office. I insist on going with them. He shines a little light into her eyes, and she seems to be resistant to it, trying to turn her head.
"Bella, how long have you had this sensitivity thing?"
"Just now, when you started shining lights in my eyes."
"Hmm. How's your neck feeling?"
"Fine."
"Joints?"
"My hip's a little stiff. Has been for a while."
"OK, can you take your jumper off?" She does so, and he examines her arms. There's a faint purplish rash on the inside of her elbow. "OK, Bella, stay here a minute. I'll be right back." He takes me outside.
"Jasper, call an ambulance. Now."
"What?"
"I think it's meningitis. She doesn't like the light, stiffness in joints, and that rash is worrying. I want her in a hospital, I need tests done. If it is, this could be serious."
"Carlisle, could she die?" I whisper, barely able to put it into words.
"I don't know."
"Why didn't Alice see?"
"She doesn't see everything, Jasper. She'll be a stranger to illness, perhaps it's a hole in her vision. You can't blame her for this. Bella can't afford to waste time."
The voice on the other end is irritatingly calm.
"Which service do you require?"
"An ambulance."
"What's your emergency?"
"Suspect meningitis. Dr Cullen's home, 1 Forks Road."
"We'll be on our way. Remain calm."
"Thank you."
They wrap her in blankets, and Esme calls Charlie. I take the keys to Edward's Volvo, and drive myself there. Carlisle has gone in the ambulance with her, and is keeping close watch on her. But that doesn't stop me ripping down the roads at top speeds, and screaming to a halt in the car park. I follow her scent to the ER and watch while they stick all sorts of needles in her. She hates needles. I have to stand there and watch because Carlisle won't let me in. It's hell. Alice catches up with me, and slides her arm around my waist.
"I'm sorry, Jasper. I didn't see it."
"It's not your fault, Alice."
"I can't see how this will end, Jasper. I've tried, and I can't. I'm sorry, I wish that I could give you something, but I can't."
"It's OK."
"Jasper," Carlisle says, softly. "She wants to see you."
"Hey, baby," I say, taking her into my arms, carefully avoiding her drip.
"I'm scared, Jasper," she says, quietly. "Carlisle confirmed it. They're already giving me antibiotics. But they want to put me into a medical coma. They say it'll help my body fight it."
"Don't be scared. You have to be brave now. You have to fight it."
"I don't know if I can."
"Yes you can. You're the girl who slapped in the face and in the process broke your hand. You can beat this."
"OK," she whispers. Charlie explodes through the doors, and I have to go.
The next four days are the most terrifying of my life.