New Girl

Keep Bella Alive

Jessica may have overreacted to that scene in the woods but it had come from a place of genuine caring. She didn't want anything bad to happen to Bella and the girl didn't seem to have an ounce of self-preservation in her body. Bella had been pouty the whole day especially when Jessica told her friends and they all had to stop Mike and Tyler from attacking Edward in the middle of the cafeteria. Bella was one of them and they all felt the need to protect her no matter how much she protested.

Eric thought it was funny to rename their group chat 'Keep Bella Alive' which was separate from the other group chat that had Bella in it. Stopping Bella from herself was going to be group effort. Jessica didn't want to be a snitch but if she had to she would go to Charlie and tell him what was going on. As calm and unperturbed Charlie usually was, she didn't doubt he would hunt Edward Cullen to the ends of the earth.

Bella was upset with her so she bought a small carrot cake from the bakery before going to her house on Sutherland Street. Bella opened the door but didn't look too happy to see her.

Jessica said, "I brought a piece offering."

"You can't butter me up with cake."

"It's carrot cake which happens to be your favorite." Jessica blinked innocently. "You're not going to make me eat the whole thing by myself are you?"

Bella's mouth opened in shock. "That is not fair."

"If it that doesn't persuade you, I brought the DVD of Sense and Sensibility. And I don't watch movies on school nights but I will make the sacrifice for you and risk my GPA." Jessica smiled encouragingly. "Come on, Bells, are you really going to turn down carrot cake and Austen? Plus the possibility of ruining my college dreams?"

Bella shook her head but she was biting back a smile. She stepped back to let Jessica into the house. Jessica went straight to the kitchen and put down the cake on the table. Bella helped her get plates and cutlery to cut slices.

When they both had their own slice of cake and eating, Jessica prompted, "Am I forgiven for being kind of crazy today?"

"It's a start." Bella took another bite of cake before asking, "Why don't you like Edward?"

"I don't trust him."

"Why not?"

"There's just something off about him and his entire family," Jessica explained. "You can't be that blind to it. I know he's attractive but there is something about him that gives me the heebie-geebies. And I'm not the only one that says this."

"You don't really know him."

"You don't either. I have been around him a lot longer than you. And the way he looks at you makes me want to ship you off far, far away from him."

"How does he look at me?"

"Remember your first day at school and you tried to sit beside him in Chemistry?" Jessica said. "He was looking at you like he...like he wanted to tear your throat out."

Bella went quiet.

Jessica continued, "It freaked out Angela so she made me switch seats with you. Ever since he's just been acting so weird – weirder than before and whatever it is that's going on with him I don't think it's good for you."

"Jess," Bella sighed. "I'm not a kid. You don't need to protect me."

"I know but let me do it anyway." She took Bella's hand in hers and tried to reason with her because if all her hunches about Edward Cullen was true Jessica couldn't live with herself. "Please. Listen to me."