Chapter 31

Emotional Manipulation

Kelsey

I only let myself cry for about fifteen minutes. Then I force myself to pull it together. It's not like I don't believe Paul will come back; I do. I just worry, because I don't like that he's in danger.

Jacob's staring moodily into the empty fire pit. It sucks that I'm stuck up here with three people that I hate. Seriously, those three make a bad soap opera episode.

I open the book I'm currently reading, pop in an earbud, and prepare to get lost in the flow of words. Cough Syrup, by Young the Giant is the first song to come on. Unfortunately, I only get a page in before the drama starts up again.

I guess that Bella's marrying Edward. (That's news to me, but whatever.) At least, that's what I guess based on the fact that Jacob growls under his breath and runs over to the trees to faze. Jacob then lets out a very loud, very long howl. Overdramatic, much?

Bella then rushes out of the tent, and Jacob ducks back into the trees to faze back. He then decides that he wants to go down to the battle and get himself killed. You sure know how to pick them, Isabella. Then, of course, because she can't stand the thought of one less boy pining over her, Bella yells out for him to stay.

"Why?" Jacob asks. "Give me one good reason why I should."

"Kiss me." Bella says. I smack my palm to my face. Of course Bella would say that. The drama, man.

After that lovely display of emotional manipulation, Jacob leaves anyway. Seth, thankfully, is the one who replaces him. Okay. I can work with this.

"Really, Bella?" I ask, giving my sister a look.

"What?" Bella crosses her arms in front of her chest and glares at me.

"You have to manipulate everyone, don't you? You can't just let Jacob move the fuck on?"

"You don't even like Jacob."

"That doesn't mean he deserves to be strung along by my idiot sister."

"I'm not an idiot!"

"Whatever you say, Isabella. Whatever you say."

"I hate you!" Bella runs back to the tent.

"You're bringing this on yourself." I mutter, shaking my head.

Seth joins me on the log, laughing. "Just give up, Kels. You won't get her to see sense."

"Truth. Common sense ain't so common anymore."

"Nope. Hey, we got any bagels left?"

I roll my eyes and toss him the package. "Here. Knock yourself out."

I turn my attention back to my book. I get through another chapter before I'm interrupted again. This time, it's by Seth.

"Sorry for interrupting, Kelsey, but can I try one of your glucose tabs?"

"I mean, sure. It's not like it'll hurt you. It's just sugar." I pull out the tube and tap out the tablet into my palm. The tablet is about the size of a jumbo Smarty with a line dividing it in half. I drop it into Seth's palm. "It's grape flavor."

"Tastes like Smarties." He quickly chews and swallows.

"Yeah. They're okay. Really convenient way for treating a low. Problem is that you can get tired of them."

I check the time. It's only been about an hour. My mind races.

What's going on down there? Is everyone okay? Is Paul okay? Who's winning? Is anyone hurt?

I eventually get up and start pacing. I'm getting very anxious. The fact that there is no communication from down at the battle is not helping.

Bella comes out of the tent and storms over to me. Here we go, I think. It's time to fight with Bella again. Yay.

"Can I help you?" I ask as she steps in front of me to block my pacing.

"You're a jerk."

"Thanks for that." I push some of my hair over my shoulder. "Why'd you come over here? Just to tell me that?"

"No. To tell you to mind your own damn business. What I do is my business. You have no right to comment on it. It's rude, Kelsey May."

"Listen, Isabella Marie. First of all, I don't comment on your life that often because I don't really give a shit what you do. Second, you're the one who likes to comment on what I do, when it has absolutely nothing to do with you. And third, don't talk to me like your my mother. You're not. Got it?"

"You're a bitch!" Bella yells.

"I'm not a mirror, sweetheart." Bella's face is turning purple. "Geez. Don't have an aneurism. Calm the fuck down."

"Calm down? Don't tell me to calm down. And stop cursing."

"Hypocrite." I mutter.

"Excuse me?"

"Hypocrite. You just cussed me out and then told me to not cuss at you? Really?"

"Asshole! I'm your older sister. I can cuss at you if I want to."

"I call bullshit, but whatever. I have better things to do."

"I hate you."

"Wow. That's shocking."

Bella storms off back to Edward, who's currently glaring at me. Asshole. I hate both him and Bella. They drive me freaking crazy. They deserve each other.

I eat the last of the chocolate bar we have back in the cooler. Seth pouts when he sees me eating it, but one glare from me shuts him up. I'm glad I have a good death glare.

I freaking love chocolate. It makes me feel better whenever I'm down. That's why when I'm stressed or angry or whatever, I go straight for the chocolate.

It's only after I eat the chocolate, and my Dexcom starts screaming at me, that I realize that I forgot to bolus. Crap! I do a quick bolus on my pump and wait for my sugar to come back down. Sometimes, I forget that I have diabetes. Especially when I'm stressed.

Seth gives me a high five before walking to the trees to faze. It's time for his shift to officially start, I guess. Hopefully, we won't need his vampire destroying skills, but it's always good to be prepared.

Bella and Edward come out of the tent and make themselves at home on another log. We're chilling when I suddenly see a flash of vivid red.

"Uh, guys? We have a problem."

A/n: Hey, guys! I'm so sorry I took forever to update! I'm in college and am also working on my own original story. I'm also working on multiple stories, as well. I'm so sorry it's taken me over a month to update. I'll try to get more regular with my updates. If we go get to 114 reviews, I'll update on Saturday. If not, it will be on Sunday. Later!

Lauren.

Replies to Reviews:

LuanaMariaSwan: I'm glad you love the chapter. The fight is in the next chapter. I hope you like this chapter too; please review and let me know.

Twilightfanjm: I loved writing that scene. I just went by the fact that it is physically impossible for any human stomach to hold down that much food. Yes, I actually did a little research to figure that one out. LOL. I hope you like this chapter, too; please re"view and let me know.

Aquilae Ravenclaw: I'm glad you like this story. I hope you like this chapter, too; please review and let me know.