Chapter 23

Toxic Love Triangle

Kelsey

I visit Paul often while he's recovering from his concussion. Whether it's to read passages from his textbooks to him (his mom insisted he stay caught up on his schoolwork), or helping Paige with algebra, I'm over there at least three days a week. When I'm not over there, I'm hanging out with my other friends, making sure I don't abandon them.

I'm currently sitting at the kitchen table, scrolling through my phone. Sometimes, I can't believe the world we live in; it seems like the violence is everywhere. Another murder in Seattle. Another person who will never see their family. Except...

Except that it seems... strange that so many disappearances are in Seattle. My gut tells me something is off and I'm pretty sure I know what's up. I need to talk to Bella.

"Bella, what the hell is going on in Seattle?" I'm washing the dishes from breakfast while Bella does homework in the kitchen. Dad went to the Blacks', but Bella had "too much homework", so she couldn't go. Personally, I think she wants to avoid Jacob after their latest fight, but that's none of my business.

"What are you talking about?" Bella asks, looking up.

"I'm not stupid, Bella. People are randomly disappearing at the same time that Victoria is after you. Their bodies were never found. The police thinks it's a serial killer. But it's not that, is it?"

Bella shakes her head. "Jasper suspects that they're trying to build a vampire army. Says newborns are harder to kill than regular vampires."

I sigh and run my hand through my hair. "Lovely."

I continue to worry as the days pass. Bella gives me an invitation to Alice's graduation party, but I doubt I'll go. After all, I'd only be there as somebody's little sister. No thank you.

Dad and I are watching the a baseball game on TV. Well, Dad's watching; I'm playing a game on my phone. Bella's hanging out with Jacob on the Reservation, so it's just him and me. It's peaceful. Until my phone rings.

"Hello?"

"Kelsey? Can you pick me up?" It's Bella and she sounds shaken.

"Yeah. Sure." I may not like her, but I do know what Jacob is like. I have my suspicions about what's happened.

"I'm going to pick up Bella." I tell Dad, grabbing my keys.

"Will you be okay?" He gives me a concerned look. I don't blame hem; my peak flow readings were unusually low today and my chest is a little tight.

"Yeah. It's just a couple miles out of town. I'll be fine."

Bella's standing right on the treaty line, tears in her eyes. As soon as I stop, she hops into the passenger seat, pushing my backpack to the floor. I don't complain about it for once; I can see how much she needs to escape from here.

"What happened?" I ask, throwing the car into reverse.

"Jacob kissed me." Bella says. "Without my consent."

By the time we reach the house, I'm pissed. My hands shake slightly as I slam the car door.

"I'm calling Edward." Bella walks up the porch steps, leaving me standing outside in the cold. Fine with me; Jacob is quickly following on his motorcycle.

"Kelsey. I need to go in." he says. "Bella needs me."

"What Bella needs is an ice pack and probably a splint for her hand. What the hell were you thinking? That's assault!"

"Come on, Kelsey. It wasn't that bad." Jacob rolls his eyes.

"I'm a police chief's daughter, Jacob. I learned the classifications for what's considered assault. You fall into that category. She doesn't want to be in a relationship with you. You can't change her mind. And right now, I'm truly wondering if she'd be better off single."

"It was just a kiss!" Jacob's getting angry.

"This time. What about next time, Jacob? We all know you're desperate to change her mind. How far are you going to push it before she shuts you out of her life?"

"You're just obsessing, Kelsey." Jacob rolls his eyes. And I see red.

I may not be secretive about my OCD. But we have a family rule that only I tell people I want to know about my illnesses. And Bella broke it by telling Jacob fucking Black about my OCD. And I can tell he thinks less of me because of it.

"Don't you fucking dare insinuate that you know anything about my OCD. You don't live it, so you don't get to look down on me because of it. And you don't get to tell me I'm 'j osbessing.' Get the fuck out." I fold my arms and point to the driveway. He glares at me, but does as I ask.

"The pack will hear about this!" he yells over his shoulder.

"Like they'd give a shit!" I yell back, rubbing my forehead. Damn, I need a Tylenol.

The whole Bella Edward Jacob love triangle is so fucking toxic. I seriously would rather Bella date a telephone pole or something. Better than the two assholes who're duking it out over her right now.

I head back into the house and slam the door behind me. I know better than to try to tell Dad about Jacob; so long as it's not Edward, he'll be happy. Fucked up for a police chief, but I guess we all have our flaws. Instead, I'll have to talk to Bella about pressing charges. Not that she will, but I have to try.

I don't get much sleep that night. I toss and turn so much that I wind up in some kind of wack yoga position before I can get comfortable. And once I do, thoughts begin to replay in my head over and over. And then my phone lights up with an endless stream and texts from Karla, who is fighting with James and needs a listening ear. Or eye. Whatever.

I finally get to sleep at around 3:30 AM. Only to be woken up by a sharp pain in my chest. I struggle to sit up, gasping and wheezing. I should have known; my peak flow readings were low yesterday. But still. I hate asthma attacks.

I try all my inhalers twice before going to wake Dad. By this point, I have to stop about every three steps to take a breather. Although it's more like a try-to-breather. Oh well; at least Whitney will be happy to see me if she's there.

The car ride to the hospital is filled with "are you okay"s and "don't worry, we'll be there soon"s. I don't doubt it for a second, because Dad is driving like a maniac. He always does this on the way to the hospital, though, so I'm not surprised.

I'm admitted back onto the pediatrics unit. Whitney's there again, this time sporting a broken ankle. Also there are Henry Bloom, who had an appendectomy; and Sarah Alsburg, who got knocked in the head by a soccer ball.

I'm all settled in under thirty minutes. I'm rocking my pulse-ox sensor and an oxygen mask. I know the drill by now. We all do.

A/n: Hi, guys. So we're approaching the one quarter mark on this story, which is kind of mind blowing. So, here's the deal: if we get to 85 reviews, I'll update on Monday. If not, it'll be Wednesday. Question: Who's your favorite character so far? I'm just curious. I'll post results next chapter. Later!

Lauren.

Replies to Reviews:

Twilightfanjm: I hope mine will, too. I hope you like this chapter, too; please review and let me know.

Rachaelm1981: Damn; you're having a rough go of it, huh? I hope you get better soon. I'm sorry you got sick right after getting sick. I hope my future boyfriend is willing to try to understand the illnesses I live with. I hope you like this chapter too; please review and let me know.