unconsciousness would be an undesirable outcome

[self_composed]

On Sunday, Bella drives to the movie theater with Angela in tow, and her car breaks on the way home from Angela's house. She calls a tow truck, and calls her dad, and she goes home in the cop car and her station wagon goes on vacation to the mechanic.

On Monday, Charlie drives Bella to school.

As she's been discharged from the car and Charlie pulls away, a van driven by a panicking teenager screams out of nowhere towards Bella.

Making wishes is easy.

It is not automatic. It is not instantaneous.

The van creams Bella, good and proper.

Comments

[self_composed]

"Uh..." She consults her mental recipe. "Pepper, and may as well get the turner out of the cooking utensil drawer now. Then we're all set until..." - she sets the timer on the oven - "the chicken comes out."

[edgeofyourseat]

"'Kay!"

He grabs the requisite stuff.

[self_composed]

Bella peppers the sauce and strategically locates the turner, just as Charlie walks in.

"Hullo, Bells." He glances at Alice. "Laney."

"Hi, Dad," Bella says happily. "We made chicken."

[edgeofyourseat]

"Hi," says Alice.

He is less nervous and awkward around Charlie now, but he is still nervous and awkward.

[self_composed]

"Mm," says Charlie. He looks at the oven timer while he shuts the door behind him. He pointedly hangs up his gun, eyes on Alice, and says, "Chicken's always good."

[edgeofyourseat]

...Alice grins and bites his lip, accumulating triangles for a few seconds, because it is so hard not to flirt a little.

[self_composed]

Charlie decides to pass the time between now and chicken readiness in watching some manner of sporting event on TV.

Bella mouths, Really? at Alice.

[edgeofyourseat]

Alice shrugs and makes a helplessly apologetic face.

[self_composed]

My dad! Bella mouths in exasperation, and then she says aloud, "Well, this'll be a while, let's go hang out upstairs."

"Keep the door open," Charlie calls over the TV.

The point of this when they have been in the house alone together for several hours already is lost on Bella, but she says, "Okay, Dad."

[edgeofyourseat]

Alice rolls his eyes and gets up to go upstairs.

[self_composed]

"I'm sort of hoping to set him up with Hilary," Bella confesses in a low voice, once they're up in her room and can barely hear the TV.

[edgeofyourseat]

"That's adorable," Alice murmurs back.

[self_composed]

Bella nods happily. "Not sure how to go about it though. I mean, they've already met."

[edgeofyourseat]

"Also, Hilary likes girls," Alice volunteers. "She might be bi, though."

[self_composed]

"Oh. Well, that's potentially inconvenient," sighs Bella. "And potentially not. How do you know?"

[edgeofyourseat]

"I told her about Freddie; she said she had much the same reaction to Pat Benatar."

[self_composed]

Bella snickers. "Okay. I'm not gonna count Charlie out yet, if that's all."

[edgeofyourseat]

"Yeah, that's fair."

[self_composed]

"I should call Angela about getting my assignments," Bella says. "She's probably home."

And she pulls out her phone and dials.

[edgeofyourseat]

In which case, Alice sits himself down at the foot of her bed again.

[self_composed]

Bella absently cards her fingers through his hair with her spare hand while she holds the phone. "Hi, Mr. Weber. This is Bella Swan -" Pause. "Yes. I was hit by a car. But I'm awake, and - thank you, Mr. Weber, but leading your congregation in a prayer for me isn't necessary, I'm going to be fine in a few weeks. Well, if it makes you feel better. Mm-hm. Can I talk to Angela, please?"

[edgeofyourseat]

He giggles softly, leaning into her hand.

[self_composed]

"Thank you, Mr. Weber." Pause. "Hi, Ange-" Pause. "Aw, thank you. If you still want to give me the card you can bring it by my house if you want. I'm recuperating at home. I also need my assignments until I'm ready to go back to school. Can I ask you to get them for me?" Pause. "Thanks, Angela, you're the best. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon."

[edgeofyourseat]

Awwww.

In fact: "Awwww."

[self_composed]

Bella hangs up. "Awwww?"