A/N: Wow! I'm just… speechless. Thank you guys for ALL of those wonderful reviews on the last chapter. I got a few comments about my little "health scare", and it was no big deal. Apparently it has something to do with my blood sugar. But I'm not too private about it. Thanks for asking! : ) Chapter title borrowed from "Help You Fly" by yours truly. (That means I wrote it, in case you didn't know. Haha.)

Part Twenty

Help You Fly

"Seriously, Bella, what is it?" Edward asked, his hands on either side of my face.

"I forgot… It just seemed normal… I feel so stupid… But it was natural…" I rambled. Edward looked confused.

"What are you talking about? What seemed natural?" he prodded.

I pressed my forefingers to my temples, racking my brain. "This morning… in study hall… I… I looked out of the door… and I could have sworn I saw… but I couldn't have… they would never…"

Just then, I was them. Again. Walking straight toward Edward and me, plain as day. I rubbed my eyes, making sure that they did not deceive me. Was it possible? Were Quil and Embry actually making their way down the hallway today, as if nothing had happened at all? Could they be so stupid? Would they be?

"Oh, good afternoon, Bells," Embry said, grinning wickedly as he passed me. Edward tensed.

"See you on the flip side, Isabella," Quil remarked, following Embry closely.

"What was that all about?" Edward asked. Then I remembered that he had never actually seen them before.

"That. Was. Quil. And. Embry," I said slowly.

"What are they doing here?" he whispered hoarsely.

"No. Idea," I answered.

"They… If it was them…"

"It was," I interrupted. "I'm sure of it."

"…Then why on Earth would they be back at school?" he finished. I shrugged.

"But whatever it is they're planning…" I shuddered at the thought. I had known Quil and Embry to be quite mischievous, and equally fine planners. "I don't think I want to know."

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"So basically what you're saying is that… we've got… criminals… in out midst?" Jess reasoned.

I nodded, not exactly in a humorous mood. "Quil and Embry. That's exactly what I'm suggesting." Edward, of course, was silent.

"That's… in credible!" she exclaimed. "I grew up with them… but I never thought… I can't believe I never saw it."

"Saw what?" the usually nosy Angela butted in, taking her seat to the right of Jessica at our regular table.

"Nothing, Angie," Jessica said. "It's none of your business."

"Excuuuuuse me," she said, shoving her mystery meat around with a plastic fork. "But I was talking to Bella."

This was starting to get on my nerves, but in a familiar, comforting sort of way. Lunch was exactly the same as it had been before I was hospitalized, with the exception of Edward, who had, obviously, been admitted a seat at our "exclusive" table.

"I spent lots of summers at La Push with Quil and Embry. Since I was nine," I said, continuing the previous conversation. After all, Angela was the biggest gossip around, and she was bound to find out sooner or later.

"Yeah, I've been going to school with them for a while too," Angela piped up. I could tell she was drinking this up, piecing the story together in her mind.

"So why would they do that? Send the recordings, I mean," Jessica wondered aloud.

"I've been thinking the same thing, Jess," I said, "and the only conclusion I've come to is that they did it for Jacob. Rather, they're doing it for Jacob."

"What do you mean 'doing'?" Angela asked.

"They won't stop now," Edward spoke up solemnly. "Why should they? They don't believe they have anything to lose."

I shook my head. "Edward's right. i… I can't be sure they won't try and break into my room… or… or…"

"No," Edward said firmly. "They won't."

I didn't have to ask. I knew why.

Angela and Jessica exchanged funny looks, like they didn't follow where the conversation had gone. I didn't blame them. How would they understand. It was a true "had to be there" moment.

"Well, whatever happens, we've got your back, you know," Angela said.

"Yeah, you know it," Jessica added, slapping her a high five. "Ange and I are here, if you ever wanna talk, Bella."

"I know," I smiled gratefully. "And I love you guys for it. But I'd rather not tell you anything else from here on out. Edward agrees."

They looked at me unanimously, their expressions a mixture of hurt and confusion.

"Why not?" Angela asked quietly. "We won't ever tell, Bella."

"No, that's not it," I assured her. "It's really for you. I am in this really deep now… and I tried to get Edward to stay out of it, too… I don't want him getting hurt because of me…" I gazed at Edward, a pained look in my eyes, before continuing. "But it's obvious that he won't back down. And I'm thankful I don't have to go through this alone…"

"You're never alone, love," he whispered in my ear.

"But I don't want you guys getting hurt through this. So thank you for all of your help. I hope you don't… hate me."

Angela crossed her arms in front of her chest, but Jessica was shaking her head. "We don't hate you, Bella. We understand. You're just trying to protect us."

"Thanks, Jess. That's why… Oh my…"

A/N: There you are, folks. Another cliffy. Haha. Good luck with that. But remember, the more reviews I get, the faster the update. I think this chapter is one of the longest in this story, so that means we should get a couple extra reviews, right? Right. Virtual cheesecake for all reviewers! And thank you soooo much for the many, many reviews on the last chapter. I love you guys,

C.J.