ACHILLES HEEL • TWILIGHT •

🐺 CHAPTER TWO 🐺

        It was now September, the thirteenth in fact, which meant it was Bella's birthday. Mackenzie had woken up early to make breakfast for everyone, while Charlie prepped the gifts. Mackenzie's gift differed from the gifts Bella's parents got her. The red haired girl found an old copy of Wuthering Heights,that needed a bit of TLC, and she thought it was the perfect gift for Bella. Mackenzie had restored the book, which was now sporting a new hand painted cover.

"Happy birthday." Charlie spoke, as he entered Bella's room, Mackenzie followed behind carrying breakfast.

"I thought we agreed, no presents." Bella said, her tone was playful yet scolding the two at the same time.

"Well, the one from me's not wrapped, so it doesn't count." Charlie said handing Bella the camera.

"That's actually great. Thanks dad." Bella said, giving Charlie a smile.

"It goes with this one from your mom. We coordinated. Well she coordinated me, and Mack helped pick it out." Charlie said, causing Mack to grin. "It's to put your pictures in from senior year. Senior year. How'd you get so old so fast?" Charlie asked, hating that his girls were growing up.

"I didn't. It's not that old." Bella said quickly, causing Mack to snort. Of course she knew why Bella was worried about her birthday.

"Hey uncle Charlie, isn't that-" Mack said trailing off, knowing Charlie would get the hint.

"You're right, Mack. I'm pretty sure that's a gray hair."

Mack laughed as Bella immediately ran to the mirror to check her hair. She can't remember a time when Bella was so quick to care about her appearance.  The red haired girl sat on Bella's bed, holding her wrapped gift. She quietly slid the gift to her cousin, worried she wouldn't like the art.  Bella quickly opened the gift and grinned at her cousin.

"Mack this is seriously amazing. Thank you." Bella said genuinely happy with the art.

"Happy birthday, Bellie." Mack said, before leaving to get ready for school.

At school, Bella and Mack were talking with their friends when Bella asked to take a picture of everyone. Mack included. The red haired girl had her arm wrapped around Angela. Soon after, Mack said her goodbyes to go meet up with Alice and Jasper. The girl had gotten closer to the two, despite their hesitation. Mack liked that she could distract Jasper from the scent of blood.

"Is that the dress?" She asked as she approached the couple.

"Of course! She's going to love it." Alice said grinning.

Mack laughed, she knew Alice loved playing dress up with the cousins.

"Hey Jasper, wanna help me cheat in history today?" Mack said as the began to walk down the stairs.

"You don't need my help." He spoke quietly.

"You have a point, but it's no fair when you've literally lived through history. This is my only lifetime." Mack said with a pout.

"No cheating, Mack. Bella!" Alice shouted jumping over the rails.

"She knows that no human does that right?" Mack snorted as she nudged Jasper.

"Happy birthday!" Alice shouted.

Mack stood with Jasper, watching him manipulate her cousins emotions. She laughed as he was going to say happy birthday, but Bella's irritation made him stop.

***

Right after school, Mack was roped in to helping the Cullens with Bella's birthday gift. She and Esme were in charge of food and the cake. She was excited for the turn out, and to try the cake. It didn't take long, considering the Cullens' had their vampire speed.

Mack stood by Japser, knowing Bella's blood messes with his senses occasionally. The red haired wanted to help dull his senses. She grinned as Bella took in the party, and began opening her gifts. For a bit, her happiness was overwhelming the empath, and helping with his control. He wouldn't admit it out loud to anyone that wasn't Alice, but he felt guilty. He feared one day Mackenzie would feel like she was being used.

Mackenzie was frozen with fear, as she realized Bella was currently bleeding in front of a room of vampires. Her emotions were everywhere, a deep part of her hoped that would be enough to confuse Jasper.

"Jasper no!" Mackenzie shouted, as the newest vegetarian vampire lunged to attack her cousin. She was too slow to reach out to stop him.

She watched in fear as Bella was flung back into the wall, and the Cullens all reacted to grab Jasper. All the Cullens, apart from Carlisle had left the room when Mackenzie finally felt in control of her body. She knew Bella was safe with Carlisle, so she ran outside.

"Alice!" Mack shouted as she looked around. She needed to see Jasper.

Emmett and Rosalie were the first to approach the teen. The couple wore matching frowns as they approached the human.

"Pipsqueak.." Emmett began but Mack shook her head.

"Don't. I know what you're going to say, so just don't. Please take me to him. He needs to hear from someone who's not family that he isn't a monster. I need to see him, Em. Please." Mackenzie begged, her eyes filled with tears.

Rosalie and Emmett shared a look, the blonde admired how much the human cared for her so called twin. Still the vampires shook their heads.

"Then I will run around this stupid forest to find him. Either help me, or be responsible for any broken bones." Mack stated crossing her arms over her chest.

It was Edward, who came out to retrieve the human. She was right, Jasper wasn't listening to his family. Once she reached where Jasper was, she shooed everyone away, besides Alice. She whole heartedly trusted Jasper not to harm her, and stated this wasn't a conversation they needed to hear. Jasper had held a hand up, not wanting Mackenzie closer. He was afraid to hurt her.

"Jasper.." She called out, taking a step closer. Alice tried to stop her, and Jasper gave her a meaningless glare. Neither vampire succeeded in stopping her. She was determined. "Please just listen to what I have to say, no interruptions. You, Jasper Hale or whatever your birth name is, are not a monster. You are not weak, you are not anything but the Jasper I know. The Jasper who was basically brand new to the diet, when you saved me. Despite the blood of my parents, and myself, you saved me. I know it was you. The blond angel. No one believed me about one angel, let alone both, but I swore the blond angel was the best hero alive. I don't remember much, but I remember feeling safe in your arms, even as you left once the police were close. No one could ever manage to make anyone feel safe, if they were a monster. So no, you're not a monster, or anything else you are calling yourself in your head. You are Jasper Hale, my friend.  And you know what, you're a freaking empath Jazz. Hunger is a feeling. You are not the only vampire in that household, so do not blame it on just your own blood lust." Mackenzie ranted, her cheeks stained with tears, her nose was stuffy from crying. "Now do not attempt to stop me, cause I need this hug too."

Mackenzie wrapped her arms around Jasper, hugging him tightly though she knew he wouldn't feel it like she would. "Please focus on the good. I'm alive cause of you and Alice. YOU took me out of the car. Jasper, I saw the pictures of what I looked like. I have the faded scars. Despite that, you made sure I was okay. So focus on that, please. I'd prefer you do it for yourself, but if you can't just yet, then for the little scared girl you saved."

Alice joined in the hug after a bit, her eyes filled with venom that would not spill. Mackenzie was a blessing to her family, mainly her mate. The psychic was pulled into a vision. Mackenzie was too involved in the hug to noticed, but Jasper did. Alice was angry and devastated. She muttered the vision to her partner, so low only a vampire could hear. They'd be leaving in a few days.