Alissa Swan

Part 22

ALISSA'S POV

I saw Jacob think about my situation for a minute. I knew that he didn't know what to say, but I also knew that he was good at thinking on his feet, which he did. "You should talk to her. She has the right to be mad at you, you know. But tell her how you feel. Listen to her opinions. I know you can make amends with this girl. I have proof, too. You two are sisters and best friends."

"Thanks, Jake," I said gratefully. "I love that you're in my life." I smiled, to show how grateful I really was.

"No problem," Jacob replied. "I love that you're in my life, too." He paused. "Now go talk to her. I'll see you later."

"Bye," I said, clicking the red button with the white phone on it. I got up and walked to Bella's room. I knocked on the door.

"Come in," I heard Bella's voice.

I opened the door. "Hi," I said. I looked around and gasped when I saw what Bella's room looked like.

The room looked almost the same as it did when we first came. But, there were Bella's belongings on the dresser, and a knife. I looked at one of Bella's shirts. It had red stains. Was that blood? I couldn't tell.

"Don't mind the knife, and... the shirt. I'll explain that to you after you explain to me what you did today." Bella was laying on her bed.

"Okay. So, I wasn't thinking, and that was my problem. I just knew that you had a crush, and I wanted to ask. And that was the first time I saw you today. I didn't see you before you left for school. And I really wanted to know right then. I don't know what came over me, but I was a bitch."

"Yes, you were." Bella nodded.

"I'm so sorry. I swear you don't even know how sorry I am right now." I closed my eyes and looked down in shame.

"Stop, Alissa. Just stop. It's okay. I forgive you. Everyone makes mistakes. Just stop making me feel bad."

I laughed. "That's what I'm here for, though. I can't stop doing what I'm here for." I paused. "Now tell me about the knife and shirt."

Bella sighed. "So, you know how I never let Charlie in here?"

"Yeah..." I didn't know where this was going, but I wanted to know. I was scared, but I kept listening.

"Well, it's because... because I cut. All the time."

I gasped and tears sprang to my eyes. I didn't want my best friend to cut. She was too... too good for that.

I grabbed Bella's arm and rolled her sleeve up, revealing her scars. She pulled away, but my grip was too strong.

"Alissa, let go," Bella pleaded.

"Bella, stop doing this," I pleaded too.

Bella finally pulled away. "I'm sorry," she said. "It's just how I survive. You'll have to deal with it. It's how I cope with my emotions."

I wasn't going to give up. "Bella, it shouldn't be how you cope with emotions. It shouldn't be how anyone copes with emotions. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to let you kill yourself by draining all of your blood out." I was never going to let this go, and Bella should know that. I grabbed her arm again.

"Alissa!" Bella didn't even try with her arm. "I'm sorry, but I can't stop. It's become an addiction, and I can't stop it. You can't stop it. No one can stop it. So you're going to have to deal with this."

I looked at her arm with all of her scars. The tears started falling as I looked at her scars. I didn't want her to go through this.

Bella hugged me. "I'm sorry you have to see this," Bella told me. "I'm really, truly sorry. But it's how I cope with my depression. I'm really sorry, but I need to continue until I find a way to stop this."

I sniffled. "Please find a quick way to stop it." I was heartbroken at this. I just couldn't look at her suffering.

Bella hugged me even tighter. "I'll try."