Ch-11 : ( Turn of the events)

That evening - after Bella and I both excused ourselves to our rooms after dinner - I retrieved "Twilight" from my underwear drawer, hoping yearning for something to have changed in it.

Alas, everything was the same. There was still no mention of me or my meddling. It felt like fire was bubbling inside my stomach. Was I even making a difference? Was I just here to mess everything up? So far, Bella seemed suspicious of me and wouldn't talk unless it was related to anything other than Biology or Edward.

And tomorrow was the dreaded car crash. More freaking danger for Bella, vampires longing for her blood not being nearly enough.

I growled and flung the book across the room. It landed behind the bin next to the door. Then I buried my face in my pillow. The cover smelled faintly of lavender, the smell I had come to discover Bella was very fond of, especially when doing laundry. My head sank, almost being swallowed by the soft, feathery material of the pillow.

How could I turn a blind eye to all this danger? If Edward didn't save her tomorrow, she would die.

And what about me? I would be in the truck or beside her, possibly also in danger. Could I push her out of the way before Edward? Should we find another parking spot?

No, I told myself. Edward had to save Bella for him to realize that he would fall for her.

I buried my face further into my pillow. Why had I let Joe borrow "Midnight Sun"? It would have helped me so much more to have Edward's thoughts, as well as Bella's, right now. But alas, I would have to go on my memory for his motives. Why had I not thought about it when Bella first came through my closet?

The closet... it felt like ages ago. How had it only been a little more than a week since then?

Three quiet knocks on my door made me raise my head from my pillow. Then Bella's head appeared in the doorway. "Are you okay?" She asked carefully, her expression guarded.

I sighed, tightening my arms against the pillow. "Yes and no," I told her honestly. "Everything is just... confusing. And wrong." I frowned. And not happening the way it is supposed to. But I didn't dare voice that out loud.

Bella also sighed before opening the door and sitting next to my head on the bed. "I kind of understand," she told me. "I knew coming here would make me stand out - make everything awkward. But you coming here actually helped with that," she grabbed my hand and squeezed. "I might not understand why you refuse to tell me more about.... Him," she also frowned. "But I don't want to fight with you. It doesn't feel like you're doing this out of malice." She sighed again. "I just wish you would be honest with me."

Something wet connected with my cheek. I blinked, and more tears began to fall. Dammit...

"It's not that I don't want to tell you everything," I said, my voice thankfully not breaking, as I wiped my eyes with my flannel sleeve. "It's just that I can't. Shouldn't." As I sat up next to Bella, our hands still connected, I turned my face away from her. My stomach tightened, and my heart ached.

"Why?" She asked.

"You're not supposed to know. Everything wouldn't happen the way it's supposed to."

This time, Bella huffed. "I'm pretty sure things would have gone differently if you weren't here."

And therein lay the problem. I wasn't supposed to be here. Inside this story - this book. Things were slowly changing, butterfly effect and all. Why had I even come here?

I felt a squeeze on my hand and finally looked at Bella. She didn't look angry or sad, just disappointed.

"You really don't know why he was so angry with me?"

I flinched. Of course, I knew. But I'd lied, and now she would know I had. Damn, my reactive body. Damn, my words and not thinking them through. Damn, all of this...

She squeezed my hand again. "Can you at least tell me why? So I won't feel so..." Confused? Angry? Questioning? "Whip-lashed." She finished.

I stared at her. What an odd thing to say. Then again, she was the queen of not doing or saying what you expected her to. Could I do this? Give her a hint to ease her mind? What would the consequences be for my slip-up? Would there even be any? So far, despite minor changes, nothing major really happened. Except for the fact that I was easier to talk to for Edward and tomorrow would be the day of the accident. I didn't want us to be mad at each other if something were to happen to her. If Edward wasn't going to save her after all.

He will. I told myself. Everyone dies if he doesn't. A chill went down my spine, and I shuddered.

I inhaled slowly, making up my mind. "It's not something you did per se..." I began as I twirled a strand of my hair with my free hand. "More something... about you."

Bella frowned. "That doesn't help at all," she huffed. "That could still just be my shampoo that he didn't like, the way I walked, or the way my hair was falling down my shoulders," she groaned. "Maybe he even thinks I made a face at him."

I giggled. Feeling more hopeful now that she wasn't looking at me with her sad expression.

Bella huffed again and rolled her eyes. "You seriously can't tell me more, can you?"

"Nope." I squeezed her hand this time.

She groaned. "Are you sure you don't have psychic powers and just won't tell me?"

My laugh must have been thunderous because Bella almost jumped out of bed. My arms clutched my stomach, and it began to hurt from laughing. "Still a no," I managed to answer her as I was drying tears from my eyes.

"Ugh." That was all Bella said before we finally hugged. At least I didn't have to worry about our friendship tomorrow, too.

I almost didn't sleep that night anyway.

I was so engrossed in the accident that I got up several times to read and re-read the specific section multiple times. I even sat down on my desk, pulled out my severely abused sketchbook, and tried to sketch the event. Nothing eased my ever-growing anxiety. My stomach kept doing summersaults, my legs bouncing, and my hands and body jittering. A part of me was sure that my constant movement and pacing would wake up either Bella or Charlie.

No one knocked on my door, though.

I knew I had to have gotten some rest because my alarm startled me from my slumber on the desk. My neck was killing me, and there was crumpled paper strewn everywhere. "Twilight" lay utterly open before me, with several hastily scribbled notes and a couple of drawings. One of which I had fallen asleep on top of. The pencil lines were smudged in several places, and in the middle, it was still slightly wet with drool.

I groaned, yawned, and stretched my arms, resulting in a loud crack. My neck still hurt.

Three knocks on my door made me turn around in the chair. "Katherine, are you up?" Bella asked through the door. "Your alarm is still ringing."

I exited the chair and turned off the loud ringing on my bedside table. "Yup, I'm up!"

Bella opened the door slightly but didn't poke her head inside. "I'm already finished in the bathroom," she told me. "I'm heading down to make breakfast. Want anything?"

A shower sounded heavenly right now. I looked at the clock, thankful that I had enough time. "Just some bacon and eggs on toast," I told her.

She laughed briefly before answering, "I'll get started on that." Then I heard her steps fading towards the stairs before I heard rummaging in the kitchen. I gathered my clothes and went into the small bathroom. Bella's shampoo and conditioner were in view by the shower, and I smiled as I read the familiar words "Strawberry Scented." She had a thing for fragrant smells. No wonder Edward thought she smelled appetizing.

I snorted. Right, because now I want to eat her too. I shook my head before looking at myself in the mirror. My right cheek was almost entirely grey from the pencil

residue. Half of my lips, too, although a more robust grey, thanks to the drool. A groan escaped me as I wiped at my face with my hand. It didn't come off.

Thank you, Bella, for not coming in and seeing me like this.

After the shower - where I succeeded in removing all of the grey residue and also decided to do two French braids, so I didn't have to dry my hair with the blowdryer breakfast was waiting for me on the small table in the kitchen. Bella was already eating, and Charlie was nowhere to be seen.

"Did your dad have an early shift?" I asked as I sat down by the plate. The smell was mouthwatering, and I almost moaned as I ate the bacon. Cooked to perfection.

Bella frowned but quickly schooled her features. "Yes, my dad left just as I came downstairs."

I rolled my eyes but didn't comment further. I was far too preoccupied with the delicious meal in front of me. After I finished, I helped Bella wash up. She had stopped protesting by now, knowing I wouldn't let her do all the chores alone. My stomach fluttered again as we put the last plates in their respective cupboards.

This would be it. We would get our bags, go outside, and drive the truck to school, and the accident would happen. My hands were damp as I got my bag from my room. "Twilight" returned to its hiding place in my drawer, and all my notes and drawings went into the bin. I couldn't use them anyway. What would I say? Oh, I just had a dream this would happen! Had to write and draw it. How bizarre!

I was sure droplets of sweat had begun to form on my back, too so much for that nice shower.

Bella was waiting for me downstairs, already dressed in her winter coat and large boots. She looked absolutely miserable.

I laughed. It didn't ease the knot in my stomach. "Are you going to gloom at the snow outside all the way to school?"

Bella jumped before turning towards me. Then she rolled her eyes and huffed. "I'm clumsy enough already; I don't

need snow to make it worse.

"I can hold your hand if you want?" I offered, hoping that maybe touching her would ease my anxiety.

Bella's eyes widened just slightly. "That's okay; I'll manage." She waved me off before opening the front door.

I rolled my eyes as I followed her. She didn't get many steps towards the truck before she fell on her butt. I had to laugh again but quickly rushed to her side to help her. Again, she tried to dismiss me. Before getting into my seat, I saw the chains on the wheels. Something tightened in my chest, just like I knew it would for Bella when she saw it at school later.

The ride was quiet; Bella concentrated on driving, and I looked at the ice and greenery. Everything looked like it was taken directly out of a fairytale. A part of me also wondered if elves and fairies were real if vampires and werewolves were. Maybe even witches. What a twist that would be!

The sounds of other car engines brought my focus back to Bella and the truck. We were in line to park at school now. Everything inside me tightened. My heart was beating so fast; I was sure Bella could hear it beside me. My right hand clutched at the smooth seat as if my life depended on it.

Bella's did.

"Hey Kathrine, are you okay?" Bella asked and touched my left arm. "You don't look so good."

I tried to smile as I looked at her. "I'm fine! Just didn't sleep so much last night." I willed my right hand to let go of the seat.

She frowned but thankfully didn't ask more questions. Then she killed the engine and began to open her door to get out. I gulped. She stopped again. "Sure you're okay?"

A sigh escaped my lips. I had to pull myself together. Clenching my right hand into a fist, hoping it would lend me strength, I answered her as calmly as possible. "I'm okay, really. Just sleep-deprived."

Bella smiled but didn't look convinced as she finally

got out. I sat for a second more before hurrying out the passenger side. I went straight to her side, where I saw her looking fondly at the chains on the car.

"Charlie must have changed them before leaving for work," I told her. I had to. The silence between us was too much. She smiled at this but didn't look away from the tires.

That's when I heard it. The dreaded screeching of another car.

My eyes immediately tried to locate where the sound was coming from, and I saw the blue van slinging uncontrollably toward Bella and me. It would be moments before we both would be flattened pancakes on the pavement.

Somehow - I didn't know when I had moved - I ended up in front of Bella, hoping my presence would slow the impact. I knew I shouldn't have been in the way; I should have moved, but I was frozen before her. Everything seemed to move slower, almost like it was giving me time to decide what to do. The problem with the human body that is unused to chaos and accidents is that it automatically goes into fight, flight or freeze mode.

And right now, I was completely frozen in place.

My eyes darted to the farther end of the parking lot around four cars down - locking eyes with Edward for a moment. He looked shocked, scared, and something third I couldn't place. A part of me registered that he had locked eyes with me, not Bella. He was definitely standing next to the silver Volvo.

It only took a moment for me to blink before everything began moving faster again.

I heard a faint "Umph!" as someone was pushed away behind me. Then, the van crashed against Bella's truck. Someone knocked into me, and hard arms wound around my waist as I fell backward. I heard a small crack as something connected with the pavement. Everything happened so fast now that it almost didn't register in my brain.

Somehow, Edward Cullen held me in his arms as the van tried to connect with the truck again.

What. The. Hell?

He raised his arm as the van came crashing into him. A perfect dent - matching his arm behind him. Then was now visible as if the van had decided that it wouldn't stop until it finally succeeded in maiming me - it almost jumped into the air, and I felt a hard arm fall away from my waist as my legs were lifted off the ground, away from the vehicle trying to crush them. It finally fell, and the metal groaned several times before complete silence fell over the parking lot.

That's when the screaming started.

"Katherine!" I vaguely made out Bella's voice among all the chaos.

"Someone get Tyler out!"

"Call 911!"

My legs were still in Edward's hands. He gently put them on the ground and lifted me upright with his other arm. Then he let go of me and put as much distance as possible between us.

"Are you hurt?" He gently asked. His face was friendly, concerned. No hint of anything else.

I could only blink at him. What. The. Hell? What had just happened? I was not supposed to be here. Bella was. Bella! Was she okay? I could hear her scream my name, but I couldn't make a sound to tell her I was okay. Why was she out there? Why was I in here?

Edward frowned, the concern in his eyes worsening. He was crouching in a position I didn't think could be comfortable for his long body. "You must be in shock."

And just like that, the spell broke.

"What the hell?" I screeched. I tried to put my legs under me to sit on them, but I couldn't move them much with the limited space between us.

"Thank God! I hear her!" Bella shouted at someone.

Edward actually looked shocked at my outburst. "You were in an accident," he told me. "I pushed you out of the

way."

Again, I blinked. My breath was coming out in huffs. "You were nowhere near me," I challenged. What was happening? Bella was supposed to be here with him, not me! "You were by your car!"

He frowned. "I was standing right next to you and Bella," he lied smoothly. I might have believed him if I hadn't seen him over there and known beforehand that he was. One of his hands balled into a fist. I pretended not to notice.

The truck was gnawing at my back, and my neck was hurting more than it had this morning. My waist felt like I would develop bruises later. Even the pavement felt like it was itching at my legs through my jeans. Everything was beginning to feel too much, like a cup on the brink of overflowing.

"I saw you," I countered. "We looked at each other." The back of my head began pounding.

Now, he looked angry. "I was standing next to you."

"Gee, thanks for that! Who knew you would be brave enough to stop moving trucks from pancaking me!" I couldn't control the words coming from my mouth; every sensation around me felt like it would make me explode. The back of my head was also becoming extremely painful. My hand flew to where the pain was worst and connected with something wet.

Crap!

Slowly, my hand found its way back to my face. It was covered with blood. My eyes darted to Edward. He looked at my hand, then at me, and then at my hand again. His body was utterly stiff.

Dammit! Of course, I had to bleed in front of the vampire. My vision began to swim.

"Katherine-"

I didn't hear the rest as I fell forward, landing on something hard, the smell of something earthy, musky, and flowery drowning me in its aroma before everything disappeared.