So this chapter would have been out sooner but, after I'd more or less finished, the internet decided to crash... The moral of the story is save your work! I was raging for most of the evening afterwards! But still, better late than never...

That's Why You're Beautiful

Chapter Nine

The following morning, I woke up determined to go back to the hospital and make my best friend remember me again.

It seemed easy in theory but, as I made my way there by foot, clutching a photo album in my hands, I soon began to have seconds thoughts. Just thinking of the possibility that Alice might still not know who I was made me feel crippled with pain, and the pictures in my book might just be that. Pictures. No longer memories.

I continued staggering forwards, telling myself that I was doing the right thing. Just keep walking...

The hospital came into my view way too quickly and I somehow kept myself moving in its general direction. I made my way through to the ward and stopped just outside the door. I could see Alice and Jasper talking inside, and my instincts told me that it would be wrong to storm in and interrupt them.

Naturally, I went against this. I took a deep breath and knocked. I slowly peeked my head through the door and waited with my breath held.

"Bella!" Alice screeched. "Where the hell have you been?"

All of my worries melted away and I cried out with pure happiness.

"Alice!" I sobbed. "You remember me!"

I threw my arms around her and she gasped in surprise. "What do you mean? I don't remember not remembering you!"

Jasper laughed. "That's enough to confuse anybody."

We pulled away and smiled at each other. "How are you feeling today?" I asked.

"I'm... good." She bit her lip. "The doctors are getting the results back to me today. I'm... I'm a bit scared about that."

"We all are," Jasper sighed as I took my place by Alice.

I quickly decided to change the subject to avoid any awkwardness. "So, have you had any more thoughts about your wedding?"

Alice's face immediately brightened. "Oh gosh, yes, Bella! Just before you arrived, actually. We talked a bit about it all..." She glanced at Jasper. "We want to get married as soon as possible, really."

"Mr and Mrs Hale," I smiled.

Alice made a strange squealing noise and I grinned to myself. After she eventually calmed down, she turned very serious.

"Actually Bella, we were going to ask you something..." she paused, leaving me in suspense. "We were wondering whether you'd like to be my bridesmaid?"

I glanced at my hands to try and overthrow the sudden burst of emotion I felt. I would look like a complete coward crying in front of Alice, considering what she'd been through.

But still. A bridesmaid. What an honour... She must really think a lot of me.

"I... I don't know what to say," I murmured, reaching for a glass of water to soothe the sudden rawness in my throat.

"This is a lot like Alice's reaction when I proposed," Jasper joked. "I'll repeat myself; a yes would be helpful."

I grinned. "Well I-I'd love to."

We all smiled at eachother and I quickly backtracked through the conversation to stop myself from crying. "Hang on, you said as soon as possible... when do you mean?"

"We were thinking as soon as Alice gets out of hospital," Jasper told me, and my eyes widened a little. He noticed my reaction and said, "It's soon, I know, but why waste the time?"

I nodded. That was reasonable, after all that had happened.

"But I'd need to rush to find a best man," he pondered. "Maybe I could ask Emmett."

I nearly dropped my glass.

"What about your brother?" Alice chipped in, and my heart rate slowed a fraction. "He should be your first choice."

Jasper nodded in thought. "Yeah, perhaps I'd better phone him later."

"Yes," I said, a bit too quickly. Luckily, they didn't seem suspicious. "That sounds like a great idea."

We talked for a while then, mostly about the wedding, when suddenly Alice's eyes travelled to the photo album in my hand. "What's that?" she asked, leaning towards me.

"Oh, um, it's just an old album I brought, just in case you had still forgotten me." I shrugged. "Looks like I won't be needing it now, though," I added with a laugh.

"Can I still have a look?"

My eyes widened wearily. "Uh, s-sure... if you like."

I handed her the book and she delicately opened the first page, showing a picture of us together at a Christmas party. Alice was wearing some reindeer antlers that were way too big for her tiny head, and I was stood next to her, clutching a bottle of wine in my hand.

Fantastic. What a positive image.

"I don't know how that got in there," I grumbled. "I look like a flaming alcoholic."

They both laughed and Alice quickly turned the page. It showed the two of us on the sofa at home, equipped with even more drink. I placed my head in my hands.

"I'm noticing a recurring theme here, Bella," Jasper teased and I narrowed my eyes at him in mock anger. He just chuckled and encouraged Alice to turn the page. It was at this moment, however, that Dr Cullen knocked and entered the room, looking horribly sombre. He settled down at the edge of Alice's bed and consulted his clipboard.

"Good morning," he said pleasantly, and I tried to ignore the stress in his expression. Even his eyes looked pained.

I knew the outcome before he even confirmed it. He didn't waste any time telling us, though. He was being kind really.

"I'm very sorry to tell you that the cancer has spread to another part of your body," he said to Alice, and I felt my heart shatter for her. "You're going to require another operation, followed by some chemotherapy to eradicate any remaining cancerous cells." He paused, meeting each of our eyes. "I really am so sorry, but the survival rate is incredibly high these days. I'm optimistic for you."

I couldn't even look at Alice. Her face would probably make me cry.

He hovered on the spot for a while, before murmuring, "I'll come in to see you sometime later in the day to give you some more details." After no one said anything, he walked towards the door and disappeared down the corridor.

"You'll be fine, darling," Jasper said suddenly, breaking me out of my haze. I glanced at Alice, who was just staring ahead in disbelief. I knew how she felt.

This was one of those things that you didn't expect to happen to you yet, when it did, it completely destroyed your world.

"Alice," I whispered, surprised by my ability to actually speak. "It'll be OK. I k-know it will."

Her shoulders began shaking and I knew then that she needed some time alone with Jasper.

"I'll give you a few moments," I muttered, heading dazedly towards the door.

What had she ever done to deserve this?

***

Later that day, I decided to head into Dr Cullen's office to gain some more reassurance. Yes, it was a little selfish of me, but I couldn't stand not knowing. I felt like he was hiding something.

I quickly wiped my eyes and hesitantly knocked on his door. After what sounded like a commotion inside, Dr Cullen appeared at the door, smiling at me like he usually did.

"Miss Swan, what can I do for you?"

My gaze travelled to the inside of his office and my eyes widened at the sight of Edward in the corner. He saw me looking and I smiled back shyly, chewing awkwardly on my lip.

"Oh, don't mind Edward," Dr Cullen said, noticing my gaze. "He just... needed to talk to me about something."

They were always talking. All the time. Deep down it made me miss the closeness that I could have with my own parents.

"Y-yeah," Edward added. "I'm, er, I'd best b-be off."

With that, he brushed past me and left.

"It's nothing that you've done," Dr Cullen said, letting me inside and gesturing towards a seat. "He just has a few issues that need resolving."

I shouldn't have felt curious.

"And I really am sorry about your friend," he added. "I can tell that you're worried but, like I said, I'm-"

"Optimistic about her chances of survival," I finished half-heartedly. He looked at me wearily and I just sighed.

"I want to know what's really going on," I said. "I feel like we don't know everything."

He narrowed his eyes quizzically before saying, "I've told you all that I know. I realise it's a frightening time but the hospital is more than prepared for what's to come."

I nodded slowly.

"Really, Miss Swan, you have to trust me."

I sighed heavily. "I'm sorry... I guess I was just worried."

He placed a hand on my shoulder. "It's completely normal. If there are any developments or anything that you need to know, I'll inform both Alice and yourself immediately."

"OK. Thank you, you've really been helpful."

He gave me a wonderful smile. "You're welcome."

I headed towards the door, feeling a little disheartened, when his voice made me jump.

"Edward really likes you."

I nearly stumbled over my feet. It would be an understatement to say that I was alarmed at his comment.

I swirled around on my feet, opening and closing my mouth like a goldfish.

"I-I like him too," I managed. "He's a great friend."

My answer sounded more like a question.

Dr Cullen continued to look at me steadily. "What I was trying to say is..." He ran his fingers through his hair in thought. "Edward's never really had the confidence to get close to anybody. He's shy. Painfully so."

I said nothing, just looked at him.

"I'm just worried for him," he concluded, now looking thoroughly awkward.

"Um... well, we're just friends," I mumbled. "I'm not gonna hurt him. I'm not like that."

He blinked a few times before nodding slowly to himself. "I'm sorry... I just get very over-protective. After the accident..."

He trailed off and I smiled knowingly. "I understand. And I... I value Edward as a friend. He's helped me a lot."

"That's good. I'm glad to hear it."

He gave me a meaningful look and I turned towards the door. "Anyway, thanks again, Dr Cullen."

"Please, call me Carlisle," he answered.

I smiled once more, before leaving.

***

Later that evening, Alice had already been scheduled for her operation and, after she was wheeled off down to the theatre, I took the opportunity to stand outside for a while, taking in some fresh air.

It was a cold night, and the wind whipped violently around my face. I wandered off down towards the back of the car park and stared up at the sky, fascinated by how many stars began appearing before my eyes. I took a long look at the moon and took in a deep breath.

As my gaze returned to earth, I became alarmed when, all of a sudden, a shadow in the distance caught my eye. I tried to remain calm and slowly backed away towards the building, but the shadow caught up with me quickly and it was soon revealed to be a person under the light from a nearby street lamp.

Emmett.

Fear prickled through my skin and my heart began thumping wildly. This really wasn't good.

"Bella!" he grinned. "How nice to see you again."

I was incapable of making a single sound. My muscles were locked and I felt frozen to the spot.

"We didn't quite finish off last time, did we?" he continued, hovering around me like a bad smell. My teeth chattered together uncontrollably and I was shivering in horrified anticipation.

"Luckily Jasper called me, asking to be his best man. His brother couldn't make it." He slurred his words a little, and I realised that he was drunk again. He was just disgusting.

"P-Please leave," I managed to whisper and this seemed to fuel his intentions even more.

"No."

He began to back me up against a wall and I had a horrible fear of what was going to happen. My limbs tingled as I prepared to defend myself. His arms were tightening around me again and my body was turning slowly numb.

"Bella?"

Another voice called from the distance and, as soon as I recognised it, a strange sense of safety washed through me. It was Edward.

"Bella, where-"

His voice was cut off as he met my gaze and saw what was happening. He frowned at Emmett and I saw a flicker of anger flash in his eyes.

"What are you d-doing?" he asked, storming towards Emmett. I panicked for him; he was half Emmett's size...

Emmett snorted. "What's it to you, freak?"

I winced as his grip tightened.

"Get off h-her," Edward stammered, trying to sound tough, but his voice quivered.

Emmett just laughed. "Are you gonna make me?"

To my utter surprise, Edward suddenly launched himself at Emmett, and it was a pitiful sight. To Emmett, Edward was just like a fly, and he was swatted away and pushed backwards, causing him to land heavily with a sickening thud against the wall. His head smacked on the corner of the bricks and I let out a horrified wail as Edward placed a hand over his injury. He brought it to his face and was met with blood stained fingers.

Oh God, please let him be OK. Please, please.

I watched as he practically gagged and suddenly slumped forwards, closing his eyes. His hand fell to the floor and I stared at him in horror.

"Edward?"

Emmett had, for some cowardly reason, changed his mind and ran off into the distance, so I quickly staggered to Edward's side, trying in vain to support his sagging body.

"Edward?" I shivered. "Edward? Can you hear me?"

There was no response and I chewed on my lip in despair. I'd have to carry him into the hospital or something... I couldn't just leave him out here.

The entrance was just across the car park, so I carefully heaved Edward upright, trying to ignore his floppy head. I cringed as his bloody hand wiped along my top, leaving a streak of scarlet in its wake.

I hauled him towards the hospital, hoping that someone was nearby to help us. Hoping and praying.

To my complete joy, as we made it through the entrance, Dr Cullen happened to be walking by in the corridor. He paused and frowned at me, then, noticing his son in my hands, rushed over with worry etched on his already stressed face.

"What happened?" he asked frantically, inspecting Edward's head and tilting it to meet his gaze.

"I-I was attacked," I spluttered shakily. "He tried to help m-me but he fell and hit his h-head... p-please tell me he's gonna be OK. Please!"

He quickly called for a stretcher and I placed my hand to my mouth. Tears were falling down my cheeks in the realisation that this was my fault. Edward wouldn't have had to help me if I wasn't being attacked.

What was it with me bringing danger to everyone who came near me?

I sniffed in a sudden desperation as Edward was wheeled away. My thoughts turned to Alice; how was she doing? I wasn't even there for her...

"Come with us, Bella," Dr Cullen called back, and I quickly followed him, horribly disturbed by the fact that two people close to me were now in the hospital.

My worries about looking like an alcoholic seemed a long way away.

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