*Bella blinks up at me as I push her into the chair* What am I supposed to do?
*I smile sweetly* Tell them who you belong to and who the others belong to.
*Bella turns to the Laptop* Um...Me and the original characters are to Mrs. Meyer and um...the others are to Tulika...? Is that good enough?
*I clap my hands* That's perfect. You heard the girl, lovelies...go ahead.
"Everybody...rock your body right!" I sang aloud as I danced around my bedroom in a plush robe I'd borrowed off Renee, throwing on clothes as I got ready to go to school. It wasn't a bother to Charlie or Bella, ok, Charlie wasn't even in the house to get bothered and Bella...well, she said she was used to it.
"Have you looked out the window today?"
I turned to see my best friend wearing a terrified expression on my face. "Yeah, it looks pretty, and no rain," I said, tying the laces to my combat boots and picking up my bag.
"Tulika, it's not pretty, it's disastrous. Can you imagine me walking on this?" she crossed over to the window, stumbling once on the turned up corner of my rug and giving me a look that said 'see what I mean', and pointed at the iced slick roads.
"I can hold your hand if you want," I offered and she smiled. "Thanks, but I'm pretty sure I'll take you down with me," she said.
It wasn't until we were out the door did I remember exactly what was going to happen today. Wasn't Tyler supposed to try to run over Bella today? Edward was supposed to save her. Oh man, maybe I just won't let her walk five centimeters away from me in the lot.
People all around us were walking with ginger steps as I got out of the cab before walking around to Bella's side.
A few lines over, I could spot the Cullens, engrossed in conversation. Edward's eyes flickered over to me but I ignored them and opened Bella's door, linking our arms together and walking to the gates. The faster she went in the safer she'd be.
"You are going to be good from here?" I asked as I stopped near the door to our first class.
"Yes, Tulika, if I need to be escorted around again, I'll call." She said sarcastically.
"I live to serve you, my lady." I replied and we laughed before heading into class.
The day passed normally. The only strange thing was that I didn't see Tyler at school at all. Maybe he took a sick day...? I mean, seeing as this wasn't a novel and somehow reality, it was completely normal to get sick, right?
I didn't pay it too much mind till it was time for Biology.
As usual, I was in my seat first and Edward came in wearing a ridiculously gorgeous smile on his equally glorious face.
"Hello, Tulika; how are you today?" he asked.
"Well, I'm slavering after a particularly clumsy girl who is simply that way because a woman decided to make her so but I am just peachy...what about you?" I grinned at his puzzled expression.
"I'm fine. Speaking of clumsy; where is Isabella?" he asked.
"Bella," I corrected automatically before looking around frowning, "I don't know, she was supposed to be here..." I bit my lip, worry beginning to pool inside me.
Oh god, did something happen to my harebrained, klutz of a best friend?
I'd kept a close eye on her the whole day; did she slip in the bathroom or something?
"Hey, I'm sure she's fine," Edward said, no doubt picking up on the worry in my mind. I nodded as Mr. Banner called us to attention. Oh dear, where are you, Bella? "Tulika, are you ok?" Edward asked, still fixated on me.
"No, I just..." I jumped when a girl walked into the room, holding a slip of paper in her hand. Mr. Banner took it and read it before looking up at the class, his eyes landing on me.
"Miss Mukherjee; it seems that you'll have to be leaving the class early." He said.
I stared at him. "Is something wrong, sir?" I asked.
"It's Miss Swan, she's taken ill during Lunch, and you will have to take her home. You should go. I'm sure Edward would help you and Miss Swan to cope with today's lesson." He continued.
I glanced at Edward who nodded to me.
I packed up my things. Ill, Bella was just ill, not injured or crushed under a van somewhere, I told myself sternly as I swung the bag up and left the classroom, ducking my head against the stares or the students and a particularly forceful gaze of a vampire.
I made sure to wipe my mind off as I hurried to the Office, slipping and sliding on the ice in my haste but managing to stay on my feet.
Bella was waiting for me in the front part of the office, leaning back on the folding chairs. I rushed to her.
"What's wrong with you?" I asked.
"It's just a stomach ache, I don't think I'll be able to do gym," she said, bending slightly, clutching her stomach. "Oh..." I said and rocked back on my heels. "You want to go to a doctor?" I asked.
"And worry Charlie, I don't know," she said.
"Bella, how many times have I told you to stop trying to be a martyr?" I asked. She gave me a surprised look. "I don't think you've ever told me that." She said.
Ha, trust me honey, I've said that more times than I can count; in the real world, of course...
"Yeah, well, I'm telling you now. Miss Cope, can I take Bella home now?" I asked loudly and the clerk looked up, nodding before returning to her novel.
"Can you drive the truck?" she asked. "Sure, I can, I was supposed to bring Charlie some lunch today anyway; he forgot his box." I said.
She smiled as we linked arms to walk to the truck.
"You know, I think it's good that you came with me here," she said as I climbed into the driver's side.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"You know, I think Mom worries about me too much, she has you to talk to. Phil is entirely too...active for me and he likes spending time with you. Even Charlie seems to enjoy your company and you make this shift to Forks more bearable. You take care of me and I don't know how to tell you this, but you are very important to me," she said.
I looked at her. I knew Bella wasn't very expressive about her feelings. Maybe not when it came to Edward, then it nearly crossed into Purple but still, I appreciated it. Nothing gets your hopes up like a fictional character telling you that you mean something to them.
"You don't think I'm hijacking your life?" I asked.
"Why would I think that? This is your life. I mean if you started to cook or clean around the house more, I'd be a bit worried but..." she chuckled when I shoved her.
"Both hands on the wheel, young lady," she mocked me and I rolled my eyes. "Yes mom," I saluted.
The drive to the hospital was quiet after that.
Bella stared at out the window sometimes rubbing her stomach, probably too embarrassed about her sudden bout of emotions and I was too engrossed in keeping us alive. I was a fairly good driver but I was from India and the driving in America was the complete opposite of our Right Hand driving. Still, I managed to figure it out.
"Where do you think we should go?" Bella asked as I parked in the lot of the hospital and guided her inside. I made the mistake of dropping her arm to lock the truck and she nearly slipped just by standing. Jesus, what was with this girl?
"I don't know, Bells. You'd probably know more about hospitals." I said and turned to her. "Sit there," I pointed to the chairs and walked to the Front Desk.
"Excuse me?" I asked.
"Yes," the Blond receptionist looked up at me. "I have a friend with a stomach ache; who should we see?" I asked.
"Well, you could go to the first floor and see the general maladies doctors," she said and I smiled, nodding before going back to get Bella.
"Let's see who's willing to cure the elusive Chief's daughter," I said climbing up to the indicated floor.
"Tulika please shut up."
"Right," I said and walked to the first doctor I saw with his back to me, talking to a somewhat dazed looking nurse.
"Excuse me," I said with Bella tailing me and the doctor turned to look at me.
Um...wow...was the first thought that passed through my head as I stared...I stared again...at the doctor.
I seriously needed to stop that. "How may I help you?" he asked, one eyebrow quirked, likely at my less than intelligent face. "I...um...Bella," I shook my head when Bella nudged me slightly.
"I'm sorry," I said and managed a cringe worthy smile. This had to be Carlisle, pale, tall and a face that would make Zeus incredibly jealous.
"This is Bella; she has a stomach ache," I said and neatly shoved her over to him.
"Oh, you must be Chief Swan's daughter," he smiled and she nodded, fluttering slightly. Ok, let's get a grip on ourselves, shall we?
He led us into an interior office and motioned Bella to sit on a padded bed as I stood by the table.
"So, Isabella," he began.
"Bella," she immediately corrected. "Bella, how do you like Forks?" he asked. "It's like it always has been," she muttered as he checked her pulse and wrote down on a pin board. "I don't think you have stomach flu," he muttered and I looked at Bella.
"Will you be fine for a half hour or so? I'll just get Charlie his lunch or he'll want to know what's wrong." I told her. She nodded. "I'll be right back to get you. You'll take care of her, won't you, Dr. Cullen?" I asked. "Of course, Miss Mukherjee," he said.
A minute of implied meaning passed between us. I knew who he was and he knew who I was. Both completely meaningless things but we both knew they weren't coincidences.
I grabbed Charlie's favorite burgers and snacks from the Diner and drove carefully across to the Police Station. It was about a few streets away from the Station when I saw it. I first thought it was a broken down vehicle but as I inched closer to it I had to stop. Throwing the door open and clambering down to get a closer look, it was unmistakable as to what it was.
The navy blue van was on its roof, smoke billowing from the under of its fuel pipes, a few branches were scattered across its perimeter, probably from where it had crashed into the pine. I slowly walked towards it when I the dark pool formed around the open window. The radio was still playing, adding a cheerfully eerie aura to the gruesome scene in front of me.
I backed away on unsteady feet and finally slipped, landing on the ice but I didn't get up. Instead I stayed on the ground and pulled out the phone, dialing Charlie's number, my fingers fumbling on the dial pad.
He answered on the third ring.
I want a fried chicken sole with some caviar if that's what you called me for. He said.
"Charlie..." I whispered and his tone immediately changed; becoming worried.
Tulika, what's wrong? He asked.
"There's...a crash...I...just found..." I muttered. God, I hoped that dark pool was oil...
Tulika, I need you to calm down. Tell me where you are and what do you see? He said soothingly. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves as my eyes darted around, looking for anything that might let him know where I was.
"There's trees, I don't really know, Charlie. I drove a few blocks from the Diner and I think I'm a few streets from the Station." I told him.
Ok, hang in there; we will be with you in ten seconds. He said and I heard him yelling something before he hung up.
I must've sat there in the cold for about twenty seconds when two three cruisers rushed up, surrounding the carnage. "Tulika," I heard Charlie's shout before two hands wrapped around my shoulder, pulling me up.
"Sweetie," I nodded at Charlie to show that I was fine but he didn't seem very convinced.
"Did you call someone?" he asked the man who was leaning around the over turned van. "Yeah, they said they'll get an ambulance here five minutes tops." The man said.
"Do we know who it is?" Charlie asked, keeping a protective arm around my shoulders, rubbing it soothingly.
"It's...a little messy," the man said and I gulped. "I think I know who it is," I whispered.
Charlie looked at me with a frown and I pointed at the van. "That's Tyler's van," I said. "Tyler Crowley," I added.
"Check," he said curtly and the cop vanished, talking hurriedly into a cell.
"Tulika," I heard someone call again and I closed my eyes, watching Bella slip and stumble towards us. Charlie managed to catch her with one arm and she looked at me with concern.
"I heard Dr. Cullen talk to an officer, are you ok?" she asked.
"Yeah, just...a little shock," I said, my voice cracking on the last word.
"Chief, Dr. Cullen's here for you," the man investigating the van said. Charlie turned and I saw Dr. Cullen standing back, near his sleek black Mercedes.
"Come on, T, let's get you out of here," he gently led us over to the doctor.
"Miss Mukherjee, are you ok?" he asked.
I nodded absently.
"Dr. Cullen, I was wondering if you could take the girls over to the hospital. Check Tulika for shock or something, while I sort stuff out here, won't take me long." Charlie said.
"Of course, Miss Mukherjee," he walked over to the passenger side and unlocked the doors. Bella and I slid in as he gave instructions to the EMTs and got in, glancing once at me before starting the car.
Carlisle flashed a penlight at my eyes as he peered closely at me.
"I don't suppose it would make any sense if I said I was not going into shock after all," I said dryly, watching his lips twitch slightly.
"You found a dead body! How could you not be going into shock?" Bella asked from the chair behind the curtain.
I considered my answer. I didn't have a repressive system like Bella, conveniently put there to pull off a hypothetical conversation. Still, I had to admit, I was putting up an act. I was shaken up; I would have to be a fool not to, but the horror of the day was wearing off. It was more the shock of finding out that something different from the book happened than actually finding Tyler like that. Truth be told, blood and gore didn't bother me all that much.
"I'm fine, Bella." I said quietly when another voice spoke up.
"What are you doing here?"
Carlisle glanced at me, noting my mortified expression and smiled, before pushing the curtain open.
Edward looked over at his father figure then zoned in on me. "Tulika, here I thought Bella was the one who was ill," his lips lifted into a smile.
"I was; Tulika just..." Bella trailed off, looking at me apprehensively.
"I found Tyler Crowley...dead in an accident." I said bluntly.
Edward's eyebrows rose and he glanced once at Carlisle, who gave an imperceptible nod. I caught it though; he must've said yes.
"Oh, well, I'm so sorry..." he muttered.
Now it was my turn to raise my eyebrows. Why was he sorry? I was about to ask him when the door opened and Charlie walked in.
"Dr. Cullen, how are they?" he asked.
"Miss Mukherjee seems to be fine, although I would recommend a visit if you start panicking or get dizzy." He said, walking behind his desk and sitting down.
"Right...and you must be...?" Charlie looked at Edward. "Edward Cullen, sir," he shook hands with him and then Charlie looked at me.
"Come on, let's get you home," he said. Bella linked her arm with mine as he nodded uncomfortably. "You might want to call Renee and your mom." He muttered.
Bella and I both spun on him, "You told mom?" we asked.
He grunted.
"Great, she must be freaking out." I said, pulling out my phone and setting to business.
At home, after telling Renee and my mom that I was fine about 37 times – and yes, I counted – I settled into bed. It was surprising that my mom had not once made the suggestion that I come home. Pondering this was not doing any wonders for my head so I gladly let Bella and Charlie fuss over me.
Ok, more like Bella fussed over me. Charlie had turned an odd shade of puce and had spluttered a little at the dinner table. Seems like all his efficiency was centered on his job only, leaving him a flustered mess in his own house.
I didn't hold it against him.
I let Bella brush and braid my hair, and tuck me in; leaving the offer to join her in her bed open as she softly shut my door.
I sighed, staring at the ceiling fan, trying to count how my times the propellers went round.
It wasn't until midnight that the tears began.
It wasn't supposed to happen like this. Bella was supposed to be nearly crushed and Edward was supposed to save her, sparking her curiosity about the boy.
Did I cause this by keeping Bella safe? Was she actually meant to nearly die to keep Tyler safe?
I turned over and rubbed off my face before softly sobbing into my pillow.
I wanted to go home.
*Bella bites her lip as I wait for her* Um...Please comment us and let us know if you liked it and if we should continue... *She looks at me then whispers in your ear* Please...? The girl's really worked hard and I'd appreciate it.
*I look at you and her suspiciously* What are you telling them?
*You and her look at me* Just how pretty and awesome our readers are.
:) :) :) YOU READERS REALLY ARE AWESOME!
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