Important! While this is based on my life and the events that have taken place involving me, this is a Fanfiction and there will be fiction in the story. Enjoy!

Last time:

I blush the whole time. I feel so useless - I can't even bend down to get my sweats on. Renee, however, doesn't seem to mind. She even tells me it's nice to be able to look after me again since Emmett and I are very independent now, what with us both being seventeen. When I am dressed, I thank her and she helps me get back into the room and sit on one of the low chairs in the room.

"Okay, Isabella. I need you to sign here and I need your parents to sign here as you are under eighteen." Carlisle points out to us what we need to sign. Soon, I am in a wheelchair being pushed through the halls by Edward, medicine in hand and an order of bed rest for the next week or so.

Edward leaves us at our car, but I make him promise to come by later. He says he will and he leaves with a smile to all of us. Charlie and Renee get me in the car without too much difficulty, and we set off for home.

"I like that boy, Isabella," Renee tells me from her place next to me in the back seat. I smile at her and see Charlie glance at me front the rear-view mirror.

"I do too, Mom," I admit, my cheeks filling with that traitor blush.

Chapter twenty-six.

Now:

As soon as we are through the door and sitting in the living room, Charlie turns into Chief Swan. He asks me time and time again who did this to me, but I won't tell him. Carlisle said we could sort this out between the two of us, and I don't want my dad to go around arresting people.

Renee sits next to me, holding my hand and reading the leaflets Carlisle gave her about how to properly handle my ribs so they will heal easy and quickly.

"Please, Isabella. Just tell me who it was," Charlie pleads from his place on the recliner. I sigh and look around the room. "Emmett told me you said it was Rosalie Hale. Is that true?" he asks and I silently curse for telling Carlisle who it was when Emmett was in the room.

If I don't tell Charlie, I know he will find out through his police buddies or through Carlisle. I know Carlisle said he wasn't allowed to say anything, but even the most trustworthy of people slip up sometimes.

"Yeah, Dad. It was." I sigh and he shakes his head before standing up and leaving the room. Renee sniffs and I look over to see tears slowly trickling down her face. When I ask her what's wrong, she tells me she's fine and quickly gets up, saying she will be back with a cup of hot tea.

Finally alone, I lean my head back and close my eyes. Everything in the past few days has been so confusing and chaotic. Why would Rosalie put me in the hospital? What made her want to do this to me? As far as I know, I haven't ever done anything to her. I know she was scared when Edward confronted her, but she didn't need to take it out on me. I know she said it was because I 'ran to Edward', but I didn't make him go to her.; I didn't force him to take things into his own hands.

When Emmett blew up at me and made Charlie mad at him, I knew he blamed me for it. It wouldn't be so bad if he was in control of his anger. He gets himself into these situations, and then blames everyone around him for his mistakes. If I was Emmett, I wouldn't let myself get so angry and I would hear all the facts before I blew up like that.

Charlie's and Renee's reactions to everything, and to each other, have to be the most confusing thing for me. I thought they were getting a divorce, and then Charlie has his arms around her and she's all over him, too. I would be more than happy if they are giving it another go, because they are my parents and I don't want them to split up, but I think I have the right to know what is going on in my household. The last I knew, Charlie was going away for a while. I guess that isn't going to happen now.

I wonder if they are getting back together for the sake of Emmett and me. Maybe they think that Emmett will calm down and I will go back to being who I used to if they stay together. Together, they can handle both us. If they split up for good, Renee will have to have one of us live with her and Charlie will have to have the other. Who would I want to live with if they separate?

Thinking back on who I was just a month ago, I can't help but notice the changes in me. I am more confident around my friends, all three of them. A month ago, I would have said my one and only friend was Alice; and Jasper sometimes when he's around. Now, I would say that I'm not afraid to stand up for myself against Emmett, and even Edward. If I want something done, Edward knows not to object. When he is around, I feel like I don't have to hide myself from everyone anymore because Edward will protect me if I need protecting. I would like to be able to think that I'm not as scared as I was back then; but I can't, because I am still afraid. When I walk into school, I feel the fear dance up and down my spine and I can feel my body tense. In the last month, the biggest change is that I have let someone in. I let Edward in, thinking he would hurt me, and I was surprisingly wrong.

With him being in my life, I can now see why people are always smiling and wanting to be at school to see their friends. I want to smile when he's around and I want to see him at school, even if it is just across the hall or in class. I want to be around him because I like the feelings he unknowingly gives me.

When Richard was still around, I never felt like this. Sure, at the beginning I went into school with a smile on my face, but after a while, he worked hard trying to remove it. The feelings he gave me are so different from the feelings I get from Edward, it's almost funny. Richard was good looking, I will admit that, but Edward is so much more handsome. Richard didn't want to be seen with me because he knew how good looking he was and he was ashamed of me. Edward will flaunt that fact we are friends in everyone's faces and make me feel beautiful.

If Edward and I weren't friends, I think I would be in much worse shape than I am now. If we weren't friends, I probably would willingly go to Rosalie and offer myself to her just to make the pain in my heart go away. Before, the pain in every heart beat took my breath away. I would want to cry constantly for days on end, and only stop because exhaustion took over. Crying was the only way I could let go of everything and not hurt myself. It relieved the ache in my heart and allowed me to breathe again.

Now, I have Edward as a friend; he lets me get rid of everything I have building up. That is if he allows anything to get built up. Sure, Edward pushes my buttons from time to time, but he is also there to help me when I have been hurt. He picks me up and allows me to be me, if only for a while.

Take the last few days; he was there with me the whole time. He didn't leave until he knew I was okay and even then, he only left because he had no choice. I don't think Charlie would be up for him catching a lift back with us. I used to think Edward was a completely different person from who he really is, and I hate myself for what I used to think of him. He's such a sweet, kind, caring guy. The perfect guy.

"She's asleep, but you're more than welcome to come in." I hear my mom whisper. Soon, I hear footsteps, but I can't find it in me to open my eyes. The seat cushion next to me slowly sinks as someone sits down. They are obviously trying not to move the seats too much as they sit down very slowly.

"Her face looks like a mess." A male voice sighs and I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Yeah, you would too, buddy.

"Jazz, shut up." A female voice hisses back and I fight the urge to smile. Alice. The person next to me moves and I tense my body so that it doesn't jolt my ribs too much.

"I know you're awake, Bella," A smooth voice whispers softly to me and I slowly open one eye, peeping at the person next to me. I almost gasp when I see how close he is to me. The top half of his body is a breath away from my arm and his face is about an inch from mine. My other eye snaps open and they both widen. He smirks at me and backs away, leaning against the arm of the chair with his ankle resting on the other leg.

Blinking a few times, I scan the room and I spot Alice sitting in the recliner with Jasper sitting between her feet. Her hands are running through his hair as they both look at me with sympathetic faces. I look away. I don't want their sympathy. Esme is sitting with Renee on the couch and she smiles softly at me. I smile back and shift, feeling the jolt from my ribs. I moan quietly, but Edward still hears me.

"You okay?" His voice is so low that only I can hear it and I nod to let him know that I am, indeed, okay. Nobody talks for a while and the silence is awkward. Everyone seems to be shifting and looking at each other, avoiding me completely. I'm about to speak when Alice beats me to it.

"So, how are you feeling, Isabella?"

"I'm okay. A little pain, but you know." I shrug, regretting it completely. The pain must be evident on my face because Renee is up and in the kitchen before I can even blink. She returns with my pain killers and a glass of water, which I readily accept. I swallow a tiny white pill and the whole glass of water quickly. I blush when I hand back the glass, realizing that everyone had been watching.

"Esme, will you help me get some snacks for this lot?" Renee asks with a smile, but I know she just wants to give me some time with my friends. Esme nods and gets to her feet, following my mother into the kitchen. Nobody says anything until the kitchen door closes. As soon as it does, Alice is running across the room and throwing herself at my legs. She's gentle when she wraps her arms around my shins, but I still wince as she presses on a bruise.

"I was so worried about you! I can't believe how much of a bitch Rosalie is! I want to grab her stupid fake hair extensions and pull them out of her stupid head!" she all but yells against my knees and both Jasper and Edward shake their heads at her. I awkwardly pat her head and she backs away from me and lowers herself into the tiny space next to me. She grabs my hand lightly, offering her silent support. I smile at her in thanks, not knowing what else to say.

"She's right though, Iz. We were worried sick about you. We were going to come after you, but the bell rang and we just thought that you had gone to class." Jasper pauses and glances at Alice. "We went to physics and we were half way through the lesson when some students ran in yelling about an accident. Mr Morris told us to stay put, but Ali had a bad feeling. We followed him and there you were, lying on the ground in front of a car."

"I wanted to go to you, but the police were holding us all back. Rosalie ran over to us and asked what had happened. When I told her you had been hit by a car, she laughed and walked off, saying how you deserved it. I was going to go after her but Jazz held me back," Alice puts in, squeezing my hand lightly. "Edward found us and told us what Rosalie had done to you and then when he saw you, he…" Edward cuts her off.

"I called Carlisle." He glares at Alice and she smirks at him slightly. What is all that about?

"Yeah, he called Carlisle." She makes quote marks with her spare hand mockingly. She leans closer to me and puts her mouth near my ear. "He completely broke down, Isabella." she whispers and I don't think anyone else heard her. I turn to look at Edward and I can't help but notice how tired he looks. Sleeping in a chair in the hospital for a night mustn't have been comfortable enough for him to get a good night's sleep. Did he really break down when he thought I was hurt? Why was he so upset? Does he really care about me that much?

"I'm sorry I worried you all so much. I'm fine now," I mutter, looking down at the floor by my feet.

"We're glad you're okay now, Bella. But, it shouldn't have happened in the first place." Edward takes my other hand and turns his body so he is practically facing me full on.

"It was bound to happen. If I had only tried to fit in more…" He cuts me off.

"No, Bella. You don't need to fit in at all. Anyone can cover themselves in make-up and nice clothing to fit in. It your inner-beauty that makes you stand out. You're perfect the way you are, Bella." His eyes don't leave mine as he says this and I can see nothing but honesty in them. I blush as I realize what he just said. He thinks I'm perfect? He must be delusional; or high? Is he high? I narrow my eyes at him, but I can't see anything other than tiredness in his chiseled features.

"Aww! You two are so cute. When's the wedding?" Alice squeals and jumps up before charging at Jasper and sitting in his lap. We all chuckle at her silly assumptions.

"Next weekend, actually. Jazz, you'll be my best man, right? I would say you could bring Alice, but she isn't invited," Edward jokes and I flush a little more. Jasper nods and Alice sticks her tongue out at her brother before resting her head on Jasper's shoulder. They are so cute together. I have always thought that, and I think I always will.

We all stop joking around when Charlie walks into the room. His face is glum and I want to take his hand and comfort him. Unfortunately, he is too far out of my reach and I can't lean over to him without injuring myself further.

"Hey, Chief," Alice greets Charlie and Edward offers him a smile. Jasper also says hello, but then goes quiet. Why is it that guys always go quiet around my dad? I know he's a police officer, but it doesn't mean that he will arrest anyone for talking to him.

"I called the school about Rosalie," he states, turning to look at me. I look at my lap, seeing my hand in Edward's. He squeezes it, offering his support. "The principle is going to expel Rosalie." I breathe a sigh of relief. At least when I go back to school, she won't be there. "I also took a trip to her house with some of my buddies from the station." My blood runs cold. Why would he do that? What has he done?

"And?" Edward asks.

"She's at the station. I have charged her with assault. She turned eighteen a few weeks ago, so it will probably go to court. I can't personally take it further because I'm family of the victim." I look up at Charlie, shock evident on my features as he gestures to me. Why would he do that? Sure, Rosalie won't be at school, but all of her friends will. He's probably just made this ten times worse.

But then again, if she's gone, people may take pity on me. They may leave me alone to get on with my life, just like I have always wanted. Sure, I want justice for what she has done, but I don't want her to get hurt. I know what people do to pretty girls in prison. She's going to be someone's 'bitch'. I swallow hard at the thought.

"T-t-thanks, Dad," I stutter and he leaves the room.

"That's amazing! She's finally getting what she deserves!" Alice laughs and I smile slightly. When you put it like that, it does seem to make sense.

"She's going to be someone's bitch," Edward snorts and I look at him. Did he know I was thinking the same thing? He couldn't have.

Our conversation goes to slightly lighter subjects, all of us laughing softly. I can't really laugh, it hurts too much. They all seem to know this as they keep everything on the lighter side; meaning a smile is enough to some of the things they say. Edward will say something about Alice and Jasper under his breath and I will giggle lightly or blush like mad at what he says. Alice and Jasper pause to watch us sometimes with curious expressions on both of their faces.

That in itself makes me more embarrassed. Why does everyone have to watch me all the time, especially when I'm around Edward? Everything I do seems to be watched, almost as if they are waiting to see what I'm going to do next. I'm not going to eat him or anything.

The thought makes me roll my eyes at myself. I'm sure that if Edward could read minds, he would get a kick out of mine. Nothing seems to make sense up there anymore, since I agreed to be Edward's friend. Maybe he's some kind of voodoo witch, or something, and he's messing with my mind?

Yeah, the tablets are getting to me; either that, or years of living with Renee for a mother.

I shift into a more comfortable position, my head against the back of the couch, and I listen to Edward, Jasper, and Alice talk. Their voices lull me towards sleep, but I try to fight it. My eyelids are fluttering, trying to find sleep, but I fight back as hard as I can. Almost sensing my battle, Edward tugs on my hand a little, making me look at him.

"Night, Bella." He smirks and I smile back.

"I'm not tired," I slur, feeling stupid as soon as I speak. Alice giggles and Jasper snorts at me.

"Go to sleep." Edward moves over to me and puts his arm around my shoulders. Without thinking, I snuggle into his side; my head going to his shoulder. I'm surrounded by Edward and sleep quickly overtakes me.

You guys are amazing. I can't believe how popular this story seems to be. I never thought this could happen. This story has also gotten the most reviews I have EVER had, so thank you all for your support :')

Thank you everyone who has been asking about my nan. The operation went better than expected and she is coming home today :D She's still sore, obviously, but she is walking well and going up and down stairs and everything. :)

A big THANK YOU to my BETA, RuthPerk. :D Thank you!

Thanks for reading.

Twi-girl09

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