3

phenomenon

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When I opened my eyes in the morning, something was different.

The iridescent light filtering through the window filled my heart with a childish sort of delight. It was snowing outside. Of course. A sleepy chuckle made it past my lips when I reminisced my younger years, ones spent in Forks, where I'd wake Bella in the middle of the night for some fun.

The definition of fun being us sneaking out in the cold, dark night to have snow fights. I would be brutal, always, and she'd have to handle the end of my brutality. Afterward, we'd giggle with ruddy faces and tumble down snowy slopes and get us covered with melting snow and inevitable sickness.

But the snow was the lesser highlight for the day. What more, you ask? Why, today is the lovely, eventful day my sister will get into accident, of course.

Recalling it put a little damper on my mood, but not enough to stop me as I readily dragged myself out of bed and did my morning routine. My sunny disposition was back on track when I hummed along to Bowie's Under Pressure on the radio and danced. Dancing in my case was flailing about being an utter moron. It made me warm and elated.

Downstairs, Bella was already ready and eagerly gobbling down cereal.

"Good morning, sister o' mine. Dad left?"

"Yeah," she said in an open tone.

"Lookie, someone's all sunshine today," I greeted with a soft smile and wrapped an arm around her in a half hug. "Something I should worry about? Oh, no. The horrors of my sister's happiness."

"And you call me dramatic," she countered, smiling back. "You seem chirpier than usual as well. Does this have something to do with why you came home late last night?"

"What are you talking about?" I played innocent, scouring through the cabinets for a glass.

"You know exactly what."

I sighed. Indeed, yes. Last night was something I was both ashamed and proud of.

Bella scooped up the last spoonful of her breakfast and gobbled it down. She watched me with prying brown eyes, waiting for me to finish my glass of juice. Just to annoy her, I took all the time in the world with slow, small sips.

Meanwhile, I allowed myself to revel in the lightness of her attitude after many weeks of watching her sulk in misery. Surely, her excitement was because of a certain boy. But whatever. I didn't mind Edward today. Maybe he was toxic for her, but he made Bella happy. And as long as Bella was happy, I asked nothing in return.

"Can we leave now?"

I jerked out of my thoughts and beamed at Bella. I put the empty glass in the sink.

"Sure. Can I drive?" I asked eagerly.

My request threw her off guard. I wasn't known to be a decent driver and I wasn't going to change that anytime soon. My driver's license seemed like a faraway dream. Bella's eyes widened.

"No. Absolutely not. You will kill us both," the condemnation in her tone made me doubt myself more and more.

"But I'll make it quick. Promise. You won't feel a thing."

Okay, today wasn't exactly an ideal day to joke about accidents and deaths. I flushed, coloring my cheeks dark red, and nodded subserviently.

"Fine, I won't," I conceded.

I was internally grateful for Bella's slow driving. I always was. These drives gave me some quality time to reflect over the day as I rolled the window down and let the zephyr caress my flushed skin. Automatically, my mind drifted to yesterday. When Bella happily recounted the sweet tale of how Edward apologized to her, the emotion I felt was mostly pure sadness. It was unjustified in a way. I do admit freely. If I wanted an apology as well, the first and foremost thing I needed to do would be grab Edward, drag him to a lonely corner, and show him the bruise.

Ha! Let's be honest. I might be batty, but I wasn't that batty.

My involvement in the story didn't necessarily require being buddy-buddy with people who got on my nerves.

I should get over it already.

"Who was the boy, Amber?"

My head snapped toward Bella, and I pulled a goldfish expression. She was driving serenely, not even bothering to look at me.

"What boy? Be specific, Bells. There are millions of boys in the world. How am I to know exactly which one you are asking me about?"

"The one who dropped you off yesterday," she ignored my babbling.

"Drat," I exclaimed with a snort. Of course she wasn't letting me off the hook so easily. "He was Tyler."

"Tyler?" she questioned in disbelief.

"Yes. Tyler Crowley. Good guy, he is. We went to grab some beverage at this delightful diner. Such a lovely, warm place, Bella. You, me and dad will go there this weekend," I smiled sweetly.

Bella blanched a little, but nodded hesitantly. I could imagine the idea twirling in her mind; the promise of family time. It would be awkward, but great things had to start somewhere.

Like yesterday.

"So we should add Tyler to the long list of admirers after you?" Bella teased me. I winced involuntarily. I didn't want boys to chase me and I certainly wasn't going around chasing boys. Love in high school was a funny concept, one which I wasn't jumping to snatch.

"I'll gladly take him," I lied, making the show to sigh dreamily. "I mean, when most of the boys are drooling after my lovely sister, I should be glad that I have at least someone to myself."

On cue, Bella's cheeks flared. "They aren't."

"Oh," I shifted to face her. "As if you don't notice. Did I mention the Cullen dude? He likes you."

She scoffed. "His hateful glares say otherwise."

"Haven't you heard of sexual tension? Come on, Bella, even you aren't that oblivious."

"Amber—"

"Pretty boy verily craves intercourse with thee."

"Shut up!"

I giggled and turned away from my seething sister. My phone vibrated.

Sticking a hand inside the pocket of my coat, I pulled out my phone and at the signal of a message, my heart lurched forward. It was from one person I'd been anticipating.

Tyler.

The message read: Can't come to school today. Sorry. I'm down with some food poisoning.

I knew already. I was the reason why it happened. Regardless, I feigned surprise.

Why sorry? It's not your fault. Hope you get well soon and if you'll have it, I can come by your place after school with your missed school work and some warm remedial soup.

His reply was instant.

That will be sweet! Thanks, Amber.

Guilt overcame me. If you are wondering, then yes, it was my fault that Tyler got food poisoning. Last night, at the diner I'd lured him to with friendly smiles and talks about Trigonometry homework, I might have messed with his milkshake when he'd gone to the bathroom.

In the grand scheme of things, this wasn't much of an issue. Or so I told myself to quieten my screaming, raging conscience. I felt nasty from inside, appalled by my actions and yet not.

I didn't know if my plan would work. I doubted it very much. Some things are fated, they say (whoever they are), and nothing can change the discourse. Call me an optimist or a fool for hoping against hope that by preventing Tyler from coming to school, I would prevent the accident from even occurring.

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I jumped out of the truck, stumbling clumsily on the ground. My legs buckled and I landed on my knees. Cursing, I stood up quickly and composed myself. Geez. Mortified, I glanced around to see if anyone had seen my embarrassing entrance. None. Good.

I turned to Bella, who was examining the truck tires. There were thin chains crisscrossed in diamond shapes around them. The snow chains were the courtesy of dad. I smiled, knowing how touched Bella was by the gesture. He was thoughtful, certainly more than mom and I have ever been to Bella.

"Bella," a voice perked. We turned to see Jessica heading our way with a grin. At my sight, her grin wavered. "Amberine. Hi."

I nodded in acknowledgment, a bit warmer than she was toward me. Mostly because hey, at least it was her coming our way and not some accident. Vivaciously, she started chatting with Bella. I hung around, awkward but slightly more relaxed. Minutes have passed since our arrival, and there was no sign of death anywhere.

With victorious glee, I slapped hands over my cheek and grinned wide enough that it hurt.

I have avoided the phenomenon, I have avoided the phenomenon, I have av -

An odd sound reverberated.

Oh, for fuck's sake!

I found a stupid second to roll my eyes and the next second, I was moving about crazily.

"Move, you dummies!" I yelled, giving a brutal push to the frozen forms of Jessica and Bella's. They scattered a few good feet away.

Adrenaline pumped through my blood, hot and wild, at the vehicle heading our way. The white van was skidding, tires locked and squealing against the brakes, spinning wildly across the ice of the parking lot. It was going to hit the back corner of our truck, and only I was standing between them like a fool.

About to get to safety, my shaky legs moved, but not to run. As my luck would have it, I tumbled down instead, my face colliding with the ground.

I tried crawling. I had no time. No, not like this.

"Not again."

Just before I heard the shattering crunch of the van folding around the truck bed, something hit me, hard, but not from the direction I was expecting. My head cracked against some metal, and I felt something solid and cold pinning me to the ground. I was lying on the pavement behind a tan car. But I didn't have a chance to notice anything else, because the van was still coming. It had curled gratingly around the end of the truck and, still spinning and sliding, was about to collide with me again. I cursed out aloud. But I wasn't alone.

A low oath made me aware that someone was with me, and the voice was impossible not to recognize. My heart stopped for a faltering moment. Two long, white hands shot out protectively in front of me, and the van shuddered to a stop a foot from my face, the large hands fitting providentially into a deep dent in the side of the van's body.

Then his hands moved so fast they blurred. One was suddenly gripping under the body of the van, and something was dragging me, swinging my legs around like a rag doll's, till they hit the tire of the tan car. A groaning metallic thud hurt my ears, and the van settled, glass popping, onto the asphalt—exactly where, a second ago, my legs had been.

It was absolutely silent for one long second before the screaming began. In the abrupt bedlam, I could hear more than one person shouting my name.

"Edward?" I called, my voice soft. Too soft.

More clearly than all the yelling, I could hear Edward Cullen's low, frantic voice in my ear.

"Are you all right?"

"No. I almost got smushed," my voice was strange. Emotionless. Empty. I tried to sit up, and realized he was holding me against the side of his body in an iron grasp.

"Careful," he warned as I struggled against him. "I think you hit your head pretty hard."

"Edward," I said again. "I am not Bella."

I finally found it in me to meet his gaze. Surprise marred his face. He was close enough for me to feel his cold breath on my cheek.

"Absolutely not," his answer was slow. "You aren't Bella. I know that."

Then why did you? The question burned my tongue. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe it at all. Tears threatened to spill. Why did you rescue me when all I have been is a raging, demanding bitch to you? Did you so easily forget the looks of clear contempt I send you on minutely basis? You don't even know me. You dont't even know—

"Amber?"

I didn't realize I was babbling.

"... my middle name and yet—"

"Amber," his voice was stronger, chastising.

I suddenly became aware of a throbbing ache on my temple.

"Don't you dare raise your voice," I found the energy to glare at him. "It hurts like son of a bitch when you do that."

"Oh?" he sounded like he was suppressing laughter. "I am so very sorry."

I shifted, to make myself comfortable. Reality dawned on me piece by piece. It seamlessly combined with something else. Something nauseous that made me feel too big for my body, yet lighter.

"How humble you sound with that no-sorry-for-you-bitch tone," I grumbled, moving around more restlessly.

"Be careful," he drawled, leaning his back against the car.

"It is uncomfortable. I can't breathe properly. I need to breathe properly. Gah. Don't mind me, okay?"

He quirked a perfect eyebrow, but realized the meaning of my words soon enough as I easily perched myself upon him, sitting directly on his lap so I had more room to move and more air to consume. Edward's sharp, low intake of breath didn't escape my notice. His body was still and cold against my back. His hold on my waist loosened.

With a snort, I became aware of his breathing—or lack thereof.

"Dude..." I rolled my eyes, and waited.

And then they found us, a crowd of people with tears streaming down their faces, shouting at each other, shouting at us.

"Don't move," someone instructed.

"Get Scotty out of the van!" someone else shouted.

There was a flurry of activity around us. I tried to get up, but Edward's cold hand pushed my shoulder down.

"Just stay put for now."

"Can I vomit on you then?"

His eyes clouded with distaste. The childish kind. One only a certified teenager could sport, not some hundred plus year old vampire.

So once again I resumed my previous position.

Too soon, dizziness swept over me, with an overwhelming urge to close my eyes. I shook my head and groaned softly.

"They lie," I mumbled angrily. "When they say your whole life flashes through your eyes when you are at the verge of death, it's a big fat lie concocted to induce dramatic awe. Liars. Everything was more like a blank canvas."

"Don't talk," his eyes drifted to my forehead. "You hit your head against the metal."

"Can I make a pun and say I'm a metalhead?" he stared at me with horror. "Sorry, I tend to babble when I get nearly killed and—why does it hurt?"

"You're disoriented."

"I'm dandy."

"Amber, for the sake of yourself, please stop talking."

"Amber?" I wondered dreamily. "It's Amberine. Only a few call me Amber. Few, not including you. How do you even know what I prefer to be called? Yeah, that's right. There is a creepy streak in you like there is a lunatic in me. We all are weird in our own ways. Though I must add, you are certainly weirder than the rest."

He let out an exasperated breath. "Tell me. Do I have to gag you into silence?"

I regarded him with wide, owl like eyes and gasped so loud.

"That's a very out of character thing for you to say... Blasphemous, completely. Be patient with me."

I guess, since I wasn't Bella, he didn't need to be the ideal, virtuous guy with me. He was most probably already having murderous thoughts that included me being shipped off to graveyard. Imagine if I began questioning him with my suspicious ass like Bella did in this part of the book? Ha.

He obviously didn't possess any adoring bone in his body for me like he did for sweet, selfless Bella. He would gladly kill me if I became a risk leading to his exposure. So keeping my mouth shut in that matter was a wise thing to do.

Still, hadn't he exposed himself enough by rescuing me? Why did he even do this? If Bella were in my place, I would understand. That's what happened in the book.

But me? No offense to myself, but what the fuck was I? Some sort of special snowflake of a damsel who just needed to be protected and cuddled and loved? Yes, I did appreciate the saving part but why would Edward do it?

I wasn't exactly pleasant with my too big mouth and this sense of entitlement I carried, as if I were above everyone else just because of my extra knowledge. I knew I was so selfish and opposite of my sister. It made me wonder, had it been Jessica or Mike or Mrs. Cope, would Edward regardless swoop in like a hero and save them anyway?

Maybe he intended to save Bella. But sadly for him, since I had already pushed her away to safety and was just in the way, Edward was all "yeh, I'll work with that" and settled with me instead.

It made perfect sense.

Edward had to put up with my half nonsensical, half philosophical rants until we got proper help. I tuned out everything else, even my throbbing head as I continued my mumbling. I didn't even realize when my head dropped so I had my forehead pressed into his shoulder. That's how they found us after shifting the van away from us.

Everything else was a montage of blur and noises. At some point, I even suggested they put me in an asylum as Bella rushed to me, eyes shining with misty tears and her hand twined into mine. Jessica was right beside her, eyes wide and in sheer shock.

"Amberine," she screeched. "Jesus, that was... are you even okay?"

"Duh, I nearly died but am okay. I kept telling Edward I was all dandy but he won't listen to me. So rude," I complained.

Jessica concluded, "You are so not okay."

"Of course she's not!" Bella cried as they practically forced me into stretcher. "Look at her, she's all blank eyed and lost! I'm so sorry."

I tuned them out.

He may not have gotten the golden opportunity to gag me into silence but Edward got his sweet revenge in my humiliation when they put on the neck brace on me. That traitor. He got to ride in the front. In the back of the ambulance, Bella held my hand, going through never ending loop of "are you in pain?" and "I am sorry". She didn't mind my frantic talks like Edward had done, further cementing the belief I had of sisters coming before misters.

When dad arrived, all panic faced and pursed lips, I held in the urge to jump into his arms for comfort.

"Amber!" he called, rushing toward me.

"Dad," I breathed softly. "Yeah, yeah. I am okay. I just need rest."

I sighed when he turned to the closest EMT for a second opinion. I didn't blame him, considering even I couldn't believe myself at this state. Squeezing my hand, more to assure herself that I was alive, Bella's eyes focused on the accident spot. I sighed once more. She was eyeing the deep dent in the tan car's bumper. It hadn't escaped her observation. Of course. Despite everything, the God forsaken plot was steadily unfolding with Bella's suspicion.

I didn't have to look at the Cullen family's faces to know their reaction. Silly little human forcing their dear brother to endanger everything. I bit my lip. Alice and I were friends, or so I would love believing. But would she blame me? I snorted. Surely. Family came before friends.

Silly little human.

The words repeated inside my mind as if a sacred gospel. It hurt so much. When my lids weighed heavy and dry, I gladly closed my eyes and drifted to a blank oblivion, thankful that I didn't have to face disappointment so early.

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I woke up with itchy cheeks, sore limbs, the sense of reality, and heavy disappointment.

The first thing that my eyes registered was a person. My Bella.

She was holding a tissue in her hand and swiping it over my cheeks.

"What you doing?" I asked, unsettled.

"You were crying," her reply was soft.

"Eh. So," I sat up, feeling dizzy. "How much am I ruined?"

"Bad wording, Amber," she scolded. "It's just a little bump. You fainted because you were panicking."

"Figures. How long have I been out?"

"Only a few minutes."

"Wish it was longer..."

Suddenly, there was another flurry of hospital personnel, another stretcher brought to the bed next to me. I didn't recognize the young boy beneath all the bloodstained bandages wrapped tightly around his head. He looked a hundred time worse than I felt. But he was staring anxiously at me.

"Oh, God, I'm sorry!" he exclaimed. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to—"

I waved a hand in the air. "Don't talk, you doofus. Do you not see how much ruined you are? Please just get some rest and—and what's your name?"

As we spoke, nurses began unwinding his spike bandages, exposing a myriad of shallow slices all over his forehead and left cheek.

"It's Scotty. I thought I was going to kill you! I was going too fast, and I hit the ice wrong..." he winced as one nurse started dabbling at his face.

"I'm Amberine. Bad circumstances to meet but hi anyway," I told him. "Let's thank the deities that we are alive and speaking."

"How did you get out of the way so fast? Bella and Jessica were there, and then it was you and then you were gone..."

"Let's thank the deities that we are alive and speaking and leave it to that," I said a little sharply.

But Bella caught on the conversation.

"Edward pulled her out of the way."

There she went.

Scotty looked confused. "Who?"

"Edward Cullen," I sighed. "He was standing next to me."

Bella raised her brows. "Was he?"

"Yes, Isabella. He was. Scotty and you might not have seen him but I did, and I have a pretty dope sight so don't go around calling me a liar."

She was suddenly confused. I was proud at the convincing way I lied.

Since they had already done my head's X-Ray and made the delightful discovery that I was all right, besides the little head bump and initial panic black out, I was instructed to wait to have a talk with the doctor. Ooh, I will finally have the glory of meeting the patriarch of Cullens!

Until then, I had to put up with Scotty's apologetic looks and reassure him that everything was beautifully fine.

When Edward strolled in like he owned the place, I breathed a sigh of relief. Bella visibly tensed in her seat as he stood at the foot of my bed, a good distance away from me and my sister.

"Edward, tell Scotty that I am perfectly fine!" I commanded haughtily, regarding him like how one would regard a guardian angel.

He cocked his head to side, "Are you, though? I do recall all those questionable ramblings."

"What? Get out!"

Scotty burst into a hysteria of apology.

I glared at Edward, now regarding him like how one would regard a demonic force, "Be funny somewhere else. That poor boy is worrying himself to madness."

Scotty began parading apologies at Edward, who lifted a hand to stop him.

"No blood, no foul. Amberine is fine," he said, flashing brilliant teeth.

Of course he had to throw that joke. I ignored him.

A tense minute passed. Scotty had quieted. Edward sat on the edge of Scotty's bed, facing me and Bella, who was frowning as she fiddled with my coat sleeve.

Awkward, and I didn't feel like filling it with any talking.

I exhaled loudly when a doctor walked around the corner. Young and unnaturally beautiful, I presumed it was Carlisle Cullen. He was pale and tired looking. I concentrated hard on him. What was the point of looking tired when he couldn't feel the physical tiredness? Wasn't it more of a human-ish thing? Or was it more of a mental tiredness?

"Hey, doc," I greeted.

"Miss Swan," he nodded, voice like honey with warm, dulcet undertone. "How are you feeling?"

"I need sleep. I feel all drained out."

He walked to the light board on the wall over my head and turned it on.

"Your X-rays look good," he said. "Does your head hurt? Edward said you hit it pretty hard."

"Not hard," I shot a fleeting glance at Edward. "And it's not painful at all."

Carlisle's cool fingers probed lightly along my skull. He noticed when I winced.

"Tender?" he asked.

"A little."

I heard a soft chuckle and I didn't have to look at Edward to see his patronizing smile. Smug bastard.

"Well, your father is in the waiting room. You can go home with him now. But come back if you feel dizzy or have trouble with your eyesight at all."

"Thank you," I curled my lips into a grateful smile.

He smiled back. "Take some Tylenol for the pain. It appears to be that you were extremely lucky."

"Lucky Edward happened to be standing next to me. What a hero."

I didn't even mean it to be sarcastic. Edward's probing eyes burned the side of my face.

Carlisle chuckled, "Oh, well, yes. Take care, Miss Swan."

"Amberine," I mumbled inaudibly for human ears.

Nodding, he walked to the next bed to check on Scotty.

"I'm afraid that you'll have to stay with us just a bit longer," he told the poor boy and began checking his cuts.

As soon as the doctor's back was turned, I noticed Bella moving to Edward's side. Internally, I groaned. Here we go.

They talked under their breath. Bella was blatantly suspicious and Edward was tense, all the douche persona from earlier vanishing in the wake of my sister's words.

Smirking, I swung my my legs over the side of the bed and hopped down quickly. A little dizzy, I moved toward Scotty's bed, ignoring the hissing duo of my lovely sister and heroic saviour.

"Hey, buddy," I greeted as Carlisle did his doctoral duties. "How much does it hurt?"

"Very much," he said awkwardly.

"Amber," I heard Bella call. I looked over my shoulder, finding her alone and Edward furiously striding out.

"Yes?"

"I will be right outside in case you need me," she said and hurried after Edward. Enjoy the lovers spat, sis. Shrugging, I turned my full attention on Scotty.

"I hope you get well soon and those cuts heal. Nasty, huh. Just so you know, I blame Mother nature for the colossal damage that happened today, not your driving skills," I took a hold of his hand and squeezed for some comfort. This is all on me.

"Don't be hard on yourself and think it's your fault. But even if you do, picture my glamorous, happy, alive face and you'll be just fine," I gave a conspiratorial wink.

Carlisle chuckled at this. I grinned and patted Scotty's hand one last time before releasing it.

"Thank you," he said stiffly but gratefully.

"Alright," I chirped, too cheerful for a person who could have died today. "Take care, Scotty. See you at school. Bye, doc!"

I let my cheery mask fall and felt numbness. This boy, faultless and young and clueless, I had dragged him into this mess. I had not only pushed Tyler out of the picture with a nasty trick, but I'd also found his replacement with this boy. The remorse I felt at getting to accomplish nothing productive was going to haunt me forever. The accident happened anyway. And Edward, he saved me. Geez, I couldn't even save myself. I lamented on my failure as I walked out of the long room. As soon as I turned the corner into a short hallway, I encountered Bella and Edward.

Oh, great.

I took cautious steps back and hid from their sight, despite knowing Edward had already heard and felt my presence with his enhanced senses. I eavesdropped shamelessly.

"... hit her head, not me. I saw what happened!" my darling sister accused.

"Did you really?" Edward retorted.

"Yes. All I know is that you weren't anywhere near us—Scotty didn't see you, either. Amber just hit her head so I don't believe her claims of you standing next to her. That van was going to crush you two both—and it didn't, and your hand left dents in the side of it—and you left a dent in the other car, and you're not hurt at all and the van should've done more damage but you were holding it up. I saw it all went down..." Bella's words were frantic.

Any other person would have happily branded her insane but Edward and I knew the truth mingled in her words.

Ugh, I don't want this nonsense! I thought to myself. I don't want them to argue. I don't want them begin their relationship on suspicions.

But turns out, universe does not work in the way I want it to. Shocker.

"You think I lifted a van off your sister?" his tone was carefully intricated to throw Bella off guard. But she was nothing if not stubborn. "Nobody would believe that, you know. Not even your sister."

I held in a snort. You wish, bro.

"I'm not going to tell anybody," her voice was barely a whisper.

"Then why does it matter?" he said. "Get over it already."

"It matters to me. I want to know the truth."

"You're not going to let it go, are you?" he sounded as frustrated as I felt.

"No."

"In that case, I hope you enjoy disappointment."

I squeezed my eyes shut. How was my sister so infuriatingly observant? Why was she so ungrateful? Instead of thanking him for keeping her sister in one fine piece, she was interrogating him relentlessly, making him question why he even interfered, forcing him to regret ever saving me, and God knows if he wished to get a chance to undo it all and leave me to my bloody fate.

Hell no.

Furiously, I unveiled myself and marched over toward them. Both turned to look at me in surprise. Bella was genuinely taken aback but Edward was feigning it, having already discovered that I was eavesdropping for a while.

"Bella, honey, can you give me and Edward a moment?" I asked. More like told her off.

She scowled at Edward, gave me one concerned look, and strode away. I glared at her retreating figure but my expression softened as I pressed myself flushed against the wall, the toil of the day heavy on my shoulders.

"Hi, Cullen."

"Edward," he corrected with a low, tense tone and narrowed his eyes at me. "Let me guess, you are here with your own set of accusations?"

"What accusations?" I blinked innocently. "No accusations at all."

"Then we are quite done here," his eyes burned with ferocity. The aftermath of arguing with my sister.

"Calm down," I said softly, almost reaching out to pat his shoulder. Almost. "I am just here to properly thank you. Now that the gravity of everything sinks in, I finally realize how much grateful I should be. You didn't have to do that, yet you did. Do you know how much it means to me? Considering we barely know eachother, save for that... er... very embarrassing moment in hallway where I was all demanding and moronic."

He visibly relaxed when he realized that I wasn't taking Bella's route and threatening him to spit out the truth.

"So was I," he breathed softly, eyes surveying me thoughtfully.

Did he just admit it? So easily?

"That you were," I couldn't help but beam. "But I am ready to put that behind us. See, Cullen, I am a petty person. So petty that it hurts holding grudges yet I don't stop. However, today, when you... ya know, you did me such a favor."

"Don't fret," he waved a dismissal hand in the air. "Alice asked about you."

I chewed the inside of my cheek. Did her words included something along the lines of "silly little human"?

"Oh, did she?" my voice was a tentative murmur.

"She did. She was very worried about your condition."

My insides fluttered and he didn't need to have heightened senses to notice the shift within my demeanor. Good to know at least some members of the Cullen clan weren't gonna hunt me down with axes and fangs.

"Tell her thanks for bothering and I'm fine. There is a gigantic bump in my head but nah," I bounced on my feet. "Overnight, I know the bump will grow but what can I do other than hide it with my bangs and endure, eh? Speaking of enduring, I am upset that you are having disagreements with my sister. She will not say it, but she is grateful that her sister did not take a one way trip to morgue."

Edward peered at me leisurely, "Is babbling habitual for you or an aftermath of that accident?"

"Half of both," I answered truthfully. "Speaking of, for all the babbling that I am doing despite my woefully weak state, don't I deserve a sensible reply?"

"You're welcome," he said dryly, giving me an once over. "And you don't look woefully weak to me."

"How sensible," I muttered. "I have mastered this ability to put a strong, deceiving upfront, ya know? Inside, I am a weak girl."

He huffed out a slow laugh and repeated mockingly, "Weak girl."

Unexpectedly, a flash of purples bruises swirled in my mind. I pursed my lips and stood on my tiptoes so I could stare straight into his eyes. Golden and unfamiliar and expectant.

Those eyes flickered to my feet. My shaking legs. If only I had taken Ballerina lessons to help with my ballet posture.

"For such a weak girl," he began, throwing down a nod, "doesn't that take too much effort?"

"Shut up," I hissed. "I feel empowered when I am tall."

"If I may say, that notion is a bit childish."

"To each their own, Cullen," face to face, I gave him a proud look. "Also, you are more than forgiven."

"How kind," Edward chuckled gently. "For what again? Saving you from the accident?"

I shrugged. The bruises. Weak humans bruised easily. In body and mind and soul.

"No. I'll tell you someday," I smiled cheekily. "Here," I held out a hand, wiggling my fingers.

Catching on my purpose, very, very reluctantly, Edward slipped his hand into mine. His light eyes gauged my reaction. I was good at the blank face thingy. The cold temperature of his skin was shockingly bearable. His hand was larger to my eensy one, yet slender with long fingers and perfectly trimmed nails. Pretty, piano hands, I mused.

"Do you do manicure?" I asked suddenly before I could stop myself.

He gave me a half-bewildered, half-vexed look.

"No. I don't," he immediately pulled his hand from mine.

I deflated. Back to my feet, I breathed in high relief.

"Again, thank you. I'll see you later at the purgatory we call school, Cullen."

"Edward," he corrected automatically, a soft crease in his brow. "I guess you will, Amberine."

My smile was sheepish as I walked away.

I made my way slowly to the exit at the end of the hallway. The waiting room was filled with every face I knew in Forks, staring at me. Dad and Bella rushed to my side with Jessica in a tow. It surprised me.

I waved my arms. "Gosh. There's nothing wrong with me. Except the obvious of course," I assured them.

"What did the doctor say?"

"Dr. Cullen saw me, and he said I was fine and I could go home," I turned to Jessica. "Oh, hey Jessica. You okay in there? Did I push you too hard?"

"Thank you for pushing me. Oh, my God," her eyes were red. "Are you okay?"

I made a sad noise. "Do you know how many times I have been asked that question?"

She shrugged, "Tons, I guess."

"You guessed right. I just need some rest."

"You should get some."

"Yeah."

There, the awkwardness returned. I remembered all clearly the time I was hostile to her regarding the Cullens. I was haughty and pompous, embarrassing her in front of her own friends. I bit my lip and gave her an apologetic look. Today seemed like the day I was being reunited with common sense.

"Hey, Jessica," I said warmly. "Would you like to hang out sometime?"

A compensation for dragging her in the mess and giving her a life scare.

"With you?" she blurted out, blinking long lashes in surprise.

"Yeah. With me."

She contemplated for a moment, "Sure. Whenever you say."

"Great!" I exclaimed.

I linked arms with Bella and said to dad, "Let's go home. Bye, Jessica."

I delivered thumbs up and waves to familiar faces in the crowd as we headed to the glass doors of the exit.

"Is it just me or everyone's in love with me because I nearly died?" I whispered to Bella, who—drowned in her Edward-confused state—failed to come up with a satisfying reply. A stab of irritation at Edward threatened my pacified state, but I shoved it away.

We drove in silence. When we got to the house, dad finally spoke.

"Amber, you'll need to call Renée," he hung his head, guilty.

"Okay, but you shouldn't have told her, dad. You know how distressed she gets."

"I know."

Bella opened her mouth, but I was already running inside. I was surprised at how unruffled I was by the hectic day.

Mom was in hysterics, of course. I had to tell her I felt fine at least thirty times before she would calm down. She begged me and Bella to come home—forgetting the fact that home was empty at the moment—but her pleas were easier to resist. I wanted her happy without the looming worries of her daughters.

Before bed, I was sitting in front of the mirror, combing my wild blonde hair and sinking in thoughts.

Three hundred strokes every night and all the worries of the world in your head. It was a dominating part of my nightly rituals.

"Hey," I said absently when a snoopy someone entered my room.

"How is your head?"

"Dan-dy," I growled out. "I called mom. She misses you. You should call her soon."

"Oh."

I ran the comb through my hair one last time and set it down. Bella was watching me in the mirror's reflection, as I was her.

"That face gives me anxiety. What do you want, Bells? Make it quick and then we can go to sleep."

She bit her lip. "You don't actually believe him, do you?"

"Edward, you mean? Careful, sis, you are starting to sound too obsessed with that boy," I teased.

"I'm not!"

"No," I told her with honesty. "I don't believe him."

Bella's eyes were large. "I knew it!"

I turned around to face her. My shoulders were sagged in defeat.

"Look, Bella. What you did today was... not something I'd have recommended. You shouldn't have been so blatantly disrespectful to Edward, after what he did for me."

"I just wanted the truth," she said sullenly.

"And with time you will find out everything you need to know," I paused. "Anyway, tomorrow, promise me that you will thank Edward and make nice chit-chat with him."

She looked reluctant. Especially after my first few words. But seeing the determined expression on my face which translated as "ha! I will never tell you anything", she nodded.

"I'll try."

"Good! End of discussion. Now get out and let your darling sister sleep."

She wanted to speak so much, but thankfully understood my pitiful condition. Leaving me to my devices, she slipped out and closed the door behind.

My heart burned. Why did it feel like everything was a mess? A mess I couldn't even begin to understand, much less fix?

Was I useless? Was everything I planned useless? The course of the plot was happening smoothly, with a few mishaps here and there. Those mishaps being Amberine freaking Swan. The girl who shouldn't even exist. Yet, I was here, trying to be the Messiah of a tale I didn't belong to.

This wasn't about Amberine saving the day. No, this was all about Edward and Bella running off to sunset with a child. My heart soared at that. My niece. Does that not sound wonderful?

Where was my place in all this? I was... God I the useless side character. The joke. The comic relief! Ugh. Even Jessica was more relevant than my intrusive ass.

Today, being a nosy joke got me almost killed. But everything remained the same in case of our dear hero and heroine. Bella was as obsessed with Edward as ever. Edward remained blissfully bipolar. The sexual tension between them brewed at the same, steady, unhealthy rate.

I threw myself in the bed and groaned. The Tylenol I took earlier helped me in my quest to be a sad, dramatic jerk.

Right then, I decided something.

I was not going to meddle in the story. Not anymore.

Okay, the thought already made gave me withdrawal symptoms.

Change of decision then. I was going to meddle. But only in matters that needed my meddling. I'd decide over time which ones would do well with my devotion and assistance, and which ones would do well with me fucking off.

I mean, after all, I was not going to be just a comic relief.

.