That's Why You're Beautiful

Chapter Six

Everyone panicked.

Jasper sprinted out of the room, desperately yelling for a doctor in the corridor, while I just stood there in complete shock, watching my best friend. This wasn't just a small problem anymore. I knew now that it was serious, and my stomach prickled with fear at the thought. I felt sick.

Dr Cullen soon ran in and promptly checked over Alice, before ordering a nurse to quickly inject something into her arm to stop the seizure. I watched with my breath held as Alice suddenly slowed down and stopped moving around. Her menacing monitor beeped a lot less frantically and she suddenly closed her eyes before slumping down onto the bed, sleeping like a baby.

Dr Cullen backed away slowly once he was satisfied that Alice was stable, and he glanced at Jasper with a very serious face.

"I'm afraid we're going to have to perform some more tests immediately," he said. "It seems that Alice's condition had deteriorated immensely."

"Oh, really?" Jasper retorted sarcastically. "Well done for spotting that."

Dr Cullen remained quiet and didn't respond to Jasper's comment. He was obviously used to these types of situations, dealing with the pain on a day-to-day basis.

I glanced at Jasper and saw that he suddenly looked very pale. "I'm... I'm sorry," he breathed. "But what's wrong with her? Do you have any idea? Is it serious?"

The doctor seemed to stay calm, much to my annoyance. Why wasn't he worrying like us two? Didn't he realise the enormity of what was happening?

"We'll know once the tests are completed," he eventually replied and I exhaled. That meant nothing to us... didn't he realise that? As each minute passed I was becoming more irritated by him.

He quickly wheeled Alice out of the room, and Jasper and myself watched in despair as they disappeared around the corner. Now we had to wait.

Jasper hadn't said a single word ever since Alice's seizure and I knew that he was terrified. Sometimes I'd glance at him and he'd be staring ahead in such deep thought, and I knew he felt the same way as me. We both couldn't bear losing Alice. We just couldn't. She meant so much to the pair of us and it seemed unfair that she could be taken away from Jasper after only just meeting him.

Then again, nothing ever seemed fair.

As for me, she'd been my rock ever since what had happened. We'd shared laughs, tears, joy... I couldn't face the thought of her just being a memory. I didn't think I could deal with it. No, I knew I couldn't.

I could feel myself starting to cry so I quickly stood up and mumbled something to Jasper about wanting some fresh air. I wasn't sure whether he responded or not because I rushed towards the exit and quickly sat myself down on the nearest bench.

The tears flowed freely after that and I sobbed to myself, placing my head in my hands. I felt like a baby, but so much had happened to me over these past few days and I just felt emotionally drained. I knew I was being selfish, but I really didn't want this to be happening.

I was vaguely aware of it starting to rain but I continued to remain still on the bench with my knees pulled up to my chest. I stayed in my own little world for a while, full of old memories and thoughts.

During that moment, my life suddenly became very clear. I knew what I had to do.

I had to stop keeping secrets from Alice. In other words, she deserved the truth about David. I had to tell my family as well; I couldn't just shut myself away from them. They were my flesh and blood after all.

I had to quit prostitution. It was causing me such general pain and I didn't enjoy it at all. Surely there must be a more fulfilling job out there somewhere... I could get one if I tried hard enough. I think.

And thirdly, I had to support Alice as much as I possibly could.

Not much to ask of myself, then.

I sniffed and quickly wiped my face, preparing to stand up and go back inside. I stared at the hospital, seeing the people being wheeled around in chairs and the family's waiting expectantly in the rooms. I needed to be in there with Alice and Jasper, not out here feeling sorry for myself.

I then glanced to my left and saw someone sitting next to me with their hood pulled up.

"Shit!"

My heart began pounding from the fright, but I soon recognised the glasses and realised that it was Edward. Again. My shock soon turned to annoyance. Jeez, was he following me or something?

"You scared the life out of me!" I yelped, mentally cursing at him.

"I'm sorry," he replied, smiling a little.

I leaned back against the bench and stared up at the sky. "How long have you been there?"

"A few minutes," he answered, before adding, "You look wet." I frowned at him in irritation.

We were silent for a while before he stated, "And you look upset, too."

"For God's sake Edward, is it state the flaming obvious day?"

My remark caused him to jerk back and I sighed, closing my eyes.

"Yes, I am wet, and yes, I am upset." I paused. "My friend just had a seizure and it's not looking good."

"Oh." He seemed taken aback. "I'm sorry to hear that."

I began to study the cracks in the pavement while the rain continued to pour relentlessly onto my back. Pathetic fallacy, indeed.

"Do you want to borrow my coat?" Edward offered and I turned to glance at him.

"No, you'll get all wet if I do that," I answered. "But, uh, thanks anyway."

"But you'll make yourself ill," he protested. "You could get pneumonia."

"Good thing I'm right outside a hospital, then," I snapped.

I heard him sigh. "Bella, I know you're upset, but there's no need to take it out on me. I'm only trying to help you." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him stand up and watched as he headed back towards the hospital. I soon sighed and called, "I know, Edward, I'm sorry!"

He turned around and gestured for me to join him. "Why don't you come in? I'll get you a c-coffee."

I narrowed my eyes before giving in. What harm could it do, really? Things couldn't get any worse.

"I've got something to ask you."

Edward glanced at me over the rims of his glasses as I warmed my hands on my coffee. It was quite funny how scared he looked at my statement; it didn't take much to unsettle him. I snuggled into my blanket, which Edward had insisted the hospital supplied for me, as I considered my question.

"Why does your father suddenly dislike me? Dr Cullen, I mean."

His mouth fell open slightly and he hesitated. "I... I wasn't aware that he did..."

I frowned at him. "Well have you said anything to him? He was really cold with me earlier." There was no reply. "Please, Edward, just tell me."

He stared at his drink as though it was suddenly the most fascinating thing in the world. "Well... I, uh... I may have mentioned the fact that... well..." He looked around him self-consciously. "You know, your j-job."

I closed my eyes slowly. "Well that was tactful, Edward. Well done."

"He is my father, Bella, he has a r-right to know."

Why? It wasn't like we were close or anything.

Instead of asking this, I just groaned. "And is that all you told him?"

He didn't meet my eyes. "Yes. That's all."

I raised an eyebrow; he definitely looked suspicious, but I just didn't have the energy to question him any further. "Well that's perfect."

We remained silent for a little while and I began to wring my hair with the blanket. I was aware of Edward watching me as I rubbed myself down.

"Shall I ask for another blanket? That one looks rather saturated now," he commented, pushing his chair out ready.

"No, no," I said. "Don't go to any trouble."

He frowned. "But-"

"Look, I'm alright now, thank you."

He chewed on his lip in uncertainty. "Alright. If you say so."

As he sat back down, I became vaguely aware at how much easier our conversation had seemed today. He still annoyed me - that was inevitable - yet it had become clear that I could actually hold a conversation with him now without lashing out on something. Hmm, it made a change.

"So is your friend having tests?" He asked this tactfully and I just sighed.

"Yeah, it's not looking good, really," I replied, gazing at the table. "I should be there for her, yet I'm here drinking coffee."

"Oh... well, sorry if I'm keeping you," he said, standing up. "I'd better g-go anyway."

He gave me a quick wave and I watched as he dashed off all of a sudden. On the way out he caught his leg on one of the chairs and nearly stumbled over. I couldn't help sniggering once he had disappeared out of sight.

It was strange how he was spending so much time around here. Sure, his father was a doctor, but he didn't have to hang around so much, surely?

Never mind. I had more important things to worry about.

I reached the ward a little while later and peeped my head through the blinds to see Alice sitting up, talking to Jasper. I didn't want to interrupt, so turned to head away, but I heard my name being called and saw Jasper waving.

"Come in," he said, smiling a little.

I took a deep breath and did so. The sight of Alice still alarmed me; it looked like she'd gotten thinner since last time. Her elbows were poking out and her arms were like sticks. Then, when I met her eyes, I realsied that they were bloodshot and that there were horrible purple bags underneath them.

What had happened to my vibrant best friend?

"Hi," I said weakly. "How are you feeling now?"

Alice groaned and the sound seemed to rattle in her throat. I glanced at Jasper in alarm but, with some effort, he kept his face straight.

"I'm sure you'll be alright, Al," I said, trying to break the awkward silence. "Maybe it's just a bad hangover."

She laughed weakly. "Yeah, right. You and I both know that's bullshit."

I remained quiet.

"This hospital food is foul," Alice suddenly commented, chucking her spoon into a yoghurt. "It practically caused me to puke earlier."

I raised my eyebrows, taking a look. "Seems nice enough to me."

"Yeah, well, you haven't had to forcefully eat this garbage," she moaned.

That put an end to the conversation again and I closed my eyes, imagining I was somewhere else. Jasper's voice made me jump.

"There's a man that keeps hanging around here," he commented. "Bronze hair, glasses, cardigans..."

I groaned. "That's Edward."

"You know him?" Jasper asked.

"Well... not really."

He looked confused. "He keeps looking in all the time, almost like he's checking up on us. He's beginning to bug me."

That was news to me. "Well he's Dr Cullen's son. Maybe he's helping him."

Jasper grumbled. "Alice needs to be left alone... if I see him once more..."

"Yeah, anyway," I interrupted, keen to change the topic. "When... uh, when are the results coming back?"

Alice met my gaze with clear panic. "I'm not sure. They had to do an MRI or something... it was really scary."

"MRI," I repeated slowly. "Sounds..."

"Serious?" Alice finished. "I think we all know there's something really wrong with me, now."

I frowned. "You'll be fine... it's probably just-"

"Bella, please stop trying to reassure me, I'm not a child," she snapped. "We've just got to accept it now."

We kept eye contact for a long time and I nodded. "Okay. I know. I know. Sorry."

There was a sudden knock on the door and all three of us turned to see Dr Cullen walking in. He had an extremely blank face and my heart began pounding. I could hear Alice fidgeting and gripped her hand, while Jasper gripped the other. I met his gaze and smiled weakly.

Dr Cullen took a seat and kept a grip on his clipboard. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, as though deliberating what to say.

"Please, just tell me," Alice said, and I looked at her in surprise. She squeezed my hand gently.

"Well the tests... the tests have concluded that there is a tumour in your brain," Dr Cullen began, and I felt the colour drain from my face. "The scan also showed us that..."

"Is it cancerous?" Alice suddenly asked, and I stared at her with watery eyes. I could see her shaking lightly.

"I'm sorry but yes, it is cancerous."

There was a shocked silence around the room and, through a croaky voice, Alice managed, "Can... can you s-save me?"

Dr Cullen met her eyes. "You're scheduled for an operation tomorrow. Luckily the surgeons believe the tumour is operable and that they'll be able to remove it. As for the cancer..." He sighed. "It depends whether it has spread or not."

Alice suddenly began sobbing and Jasper hugged her close. Dr Cullen stood up and walked towards the door. "I'll speak to you again later today."

He left us all in despair and my heart broke at the sight of Jasper and Alice, desperately clinging onto each other. They both looked so vulnerable and helpless.

I placed my head in my hands once more and let the new worry consume me.