That's Why You're Beautiful

Chapter Five

Emmett's wide body continued to block my vision and all I could smell was the alcohol on his breath; it was disgusting and turned my stomach. I heard him practically growling as he attacked me; it was like he was some kind of wild animal, ruthless in achieving its aims. His fingers scrammed against my skin several times, but I couldn't feel any pain; everything was dulled out by the pure shock of what was happening. I felt numb.

He muttered something in my ear which I couldn't quite understand and went to reach for my hair, but was interrupted suddenly by somebody behind him. He hastily whipped around and revealed Jasper, who was standing there with an expression mixed between distress and surprise. I had never been so grateful to see somebody in my entire life. It took all my restraint to not hurl myself into his arms.

"I'm, er, sorry to bother you two, but Bella..." He gaze turned towards me. "Alice is being taken to the hospital, we're just waiting for the paramedics. I thought you'd like to come."

I was a little dazed and had to swallow several times before managing my answer. "Oh... right. Yeah. Of course."

I should have told him, right then. But, as I walked towards him, Emmett gripped onto my arm, causing me to jump in surprise.

"I'll see you soon." He said it with a wink and in a menacing tone which only I could hear; Jasper probably misheard it as him being playful. I shivered terribly.

"Come on," Jasper said. "We need to hurry."

We made our way back inside and pushed through the bar. The music was thumping loudly and I had to shout to be heard by Jasper. "How is she?"

A frown of worry appeared on his forehead. "I'm not so sure. She didn't look too good." He stared off into the distance and I saw his eyes watering.

"It'll be alright, you know," I told him, trying to reassure us both.

He rubbed his forehead. "No! It... it just seems that everything I touch seems to go wrong!" He paused. "I thought my life was back on track, but now I've just caused this to happen to Alice! She said she wasn't well earlier, yet she still came here for me! I-"

I reached out for his hand. "Jasper! You can not blame yourself for this! You're the best thing that's ever happened to Alice! It's probably the drink that's caused this, not you! I'm sure of it. Don't speak like that."

He didn't look convinced, just pulled me towards the bathroom.

"I didn't know you liked Emmett," he said offhandly, causing me to frown.

"Believe me, I don't."

My tone closed the topic and we soon reached the ladies toilets. In the corner there was a random person loitering around, and I suddenly felt a burst of guilt; why was she here? Alice was my friend, not hers, yet I had only just joined her side.

I knelt down beside her and stared down at her sprawled, pale body. She seemed to incredibly helpless and weak, almost like a corpse.

Everything suddenly became too much and I started to cry uncontrollably. My chest heaved, my nose ran, and I felt sick. Why was this happening? Surely I couldn't lose someone else so special?

It horrified me even more how selfish that was.

I felt Jasper's hand on my back when a few men in uniform suddenly burst into the room. I jumped up and hurriedly wiped my nose with my sleeve. The paramedics crowded around Alice and helped her out while I joined Jasper's side. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and gently hugged me.

"Don't worry... she's gonna be alright. I hope."

It seemed like we were both the same; always desperately trying to reassure ourselves when we were actually terrified of what could happen.

Time can be really sluggish at the worst of times. It felt like we'd been at the hospital for hours, yet we'd only been there for just over thirty minutes.

Jasper and myself were waiting in the room together and watching hopelessly as several nurses and doctors rushed by in a continuous steam. I could vaguely hear the ticking of the clock in the background and it sounded horrendously ominous, taunting us. I placed my head in my hands and knelt on my knees. Following this, I slowly closed my eyes and, before I could control it, my mind leapt cruelly back to a few years ago.

I was in the waiting room, still wearing my bloodied wedding dress. Foreign, unfamiliar people stared as they walked by and I couldn't blame them. I'd had to walk through the raging storm outside to gain a phone signal for the ambulance, leaving David all on his own, being so vulnerable. It had terrified me, what with the weather being so peculiar out in Spain. It seemed heartbreakingly appropriate.

I was clinging onto the hope that he could somehow still be alive. Praying.

He hadn't stirred when I got back, though, but the ambulance eventually found us. I still had the faint hope as we took the journey to the hospital. Surely they could revive him somehow? They could do anything nowadays.

They had kept me waiting way too long and I quickly raced up to the door. I peeked inside the room and, to my complete horror, there was a flat line on the monitor and the Spanish doctors were quickly charging up some machinery.

My body went cold.

One of the doctors noticed me staring and quickly closed the blinds. I was completely drained of strength and pressed my forehead against the glass. It felt like hours before the same doctor stepped outside with a smooth, emotionless face.

"I'm sorry," he murmured in his Spanish accent. "He didn't, uh, make it."

I couldn't accept the truth. He wouldn't leave me like this. No.

"No, he's... he's..."

The doctor placed a hand on my shoulder, trying to be comforting. "I'm sorry. He lost, uh, too much blood."

The thought made me nauseous, and I slumped to the floor and sobbed in a traumatised heap. Nobody came to aid me, for I was just a lonely stranger.

"Bella?"

Jasper's voice brought me back to the present and I wiped away a silent tear before glancing over at him. My neck moved upwards as I realised he was standing. To my surprise, he had a smile on his face. "The doctors have said we can see Alice." He was practically beaming. "She's gonna be okay!"

I followed him through to the room and saw Alice sitting up in the bed with a blond doctor by her side. He smiled warmly at us when we entered, and closed the door quietly behind me. We both took our seats and I smiled at Alice, who still looked alarmingly drowsy.

"Hi," she croaked, slurring her words a little. "I really am sorry about all this, I probably had too much to drink. I-"

"Alice, don't be silly," Jasper sighed. "We're just relieved you're back with us!" He smiled crookedly and gripped her hand tightly.

I turned towards the doctor and he began speaking in a professional yet unmistakably friendly tone. "I'm Dr Cullen. I've been checking over Alice and, at the moment, I'm rather... puzzled."

I tried to keep my face straight as I recognised his surname. Surely it was just a coincidence. And besides, this wasn't the time to be bringing my personal matters into everything.

"Why is that?" I glanced over at Jasper who had raised his eyebrows in confusion.

"Well, I'm going to need to perform a few more tests before I'm happy to release Alice." He turned to smile at her. "I'm sure everything will be fine, though. There's no need to worry."

Alice smiled weakly and I recognised her expression immediately. I could tell that she was secretly scared but was putting on a brave face for everyone. That was typical of her.

"I'll give you some time to rest and will come back tomorrow morning." He stood up, clutching a clipboard to his chest. "Have a good night and try not to panic; it won't do you any good."

He headed towards the door and I stood up after him. "Hey, can I have a quick word please? I won't be a moment."

He looked a little confused but nodded regardless, opening the door for me. We walked along the corridor and I chewed my lip anxiously. Perhaps this hadn't been such a great idea. Still, I had to ask him now.

"I... I was just wondering if there's anything seriously wrong with Alice?" I asked, avoiding the subject that I really wanted to bring up. I was such a coward sometimes.

He looked at me carefully with his concerned brown eyes. "I'm not too sure at the moment but, like I said, it's unlikely to be anything serious." He smiled reassuringly and I suddenly felt a little more relaxed. "There's no need to worry."

I closed my eyes. "It's hard not to."

He nodded. "I know. My son Edward was in a serious accident once. No matter how much people tried to reassure me, I didn't stop panicking until he was out of the hospital."

I blinked in surprise. It seemed that I didn't need to ask him after all. What a coincidence it was that I'd met them both.

"What happened to him?" I asked, before hastily adding, "If you don't mind me asking..."

He chuckled. "It's perfectly alright. He was in a road accident and nearly lost his arm. Luckily there were some very good doctors around." He stared ahead a bit, and I wondered what he was remembering. "The incident affected him greatly... his personality changed. He went from being interested in cars and mechanics to teaching Physics. It worries me sometimes... but he seems to be doing well for himself. He seems quite happy."

I nodded. "I'm sure he'll be alright."

He took a deep breath and smiled once more. "Yes. Anyway, I'd better go. Patients to attend to, lives to save."

I laughed. "Well, good luck with that."

He held out his hand. "It's been nice to meet you..."

"Bella, Bella Swan," I finished, shaking his hand. "And likewise."

After another warm smile, he disappeared quickly around the corner, his white medical coat flapping behind him.

I spun around and started to head back towards the ward when, in the distance, I spotted a figure which made my heart skip a beat.

Making his way towards me was Edward Cullen, of all people.

I made a strange squeaking noise and contemplated diving behind a tall plant to hide myself, but he quickly met my gaze and stood rooted on the spot. I saw his body jerk the other way and prayed that he had decided to leave, but he firmly nodded to himself and headed my way.

"Hi..." I managed. "Fancy seeing you here!"

He didn't look impressed. "Yes, well... my father works here. I wanted to s-see him." He eyed me up and down curiously. "W-Why are you here?"

"My friend," I answered. "She had an accident."

His expression softened momentarily. "Oh, I'm s-sorry to hear that. Is s-she alright?"

I nodded. "I think so. Thank you. Um, Edward?"

He met my eyes questioningly.

"I'm sorry for what happened the other day. I..."

He abruptly cut me off. "I'd better g-go, sorry. I really need to see my f-father."

"Oh. Okay... I-"

My voice trailed off as he sped out of sight. What a great day this was turning out to be.

I resignedly headed back to the ward and sat with Alice and Jasper, letting the time slip away.

That night both Jasper and myself stayed over at the hospital, but I couldn't sleep. We were both sat upright in uncomfortable plastic chairs and my mind was becoming distracted by all the beeping and movement around us. My thoughts soon wandered off and I began to wonder about myself.

I couldn't help thinking that it was wrong keeping all my secrets from Alice. I'd kept everything hidden for her for such a long time, and it seemed like today had shown me just how little time someone could have. I didn't want to have any regrets, and it seemed simple to tell her and try to move on with my life. Maybe it would make things easier.

But would I want to burden her with everything?

My thoughts turned towards my family who I hadn't been able to face since the incident. They did deserve the truth. I'd never told them anything about the circumstances of David's death; I'd been too afraid.

Then the whole prostitution thing came to mind. That caused me more pain than anything else. In fact, it gave me a headache just thinking about it. Jasper soon came into the equation and I imagined what Alice would say...

And what about Emmett?

I felt myself becoming very tired and rubbed my eyes exhaustedly. Before I fell off to sleep, I could have sworn I saw a blond figure standing beside another man with familiar looking glasses just outside the room. I couldn't figure out who they were, though, because I drifted into unconsciousness in the chair.

It's never really advisable to fall asleep sitting upright. When I woke up, my neck was painfully stiff and it actually clicked when I tried to relieve the ache. I looked over towards Alice, who was still asleep, and then at Jasper who was smiling at me.

"I had that same problem earlier," he said, rubbing his neck. "Not our greatest idea."

I smiled. "No. Never mind, we'll all be home later today."

He sighed. "I hope so."

The door suddenly opened and Dr Cullen walked swiftly in. He acknowledged Jasper but gave me a strangely wary look, and proceeded to check Alice. He wrote something on his clipboard and spoke to Jasper.

"We'll have to take a blood test later when she wakes up. If you tell a nurse when she does, she'll bring in some breakfast."

"Alright, thank you, doctor."

He nodded and glanced at me once more before leaving. I couldn't understand where this coldness had come from; he'd seemed perfectly friendly yesterday.

I was busy pondering this when Alice suddenly sat rigidly upright and began jerking around uncontrollably.

She was having a seizure.