+++++

It all happened so fast. Jasper lunged forward, pushing Magnolia out of his way. She went flying into a wall, but the pain was the least of her concern. Jasper ran towards Bella, Magnolia was sure then and there he would kill her.

Edward acted quickly. He shoved Jasper back, by that didn't deter him. Jasper came running back. As a last resort, Edward pushed Bella out of the way, though much harder than he anticipated. She when flying into a table, the flower vases shattered underneath the sudden weight.

The vampire's heads turned quickly. Blood ran down Bella's arm like a waterfall. Emmett and Carlisle rushed in, grabbing Jasper by the arms. He fought violently against them, hissing loudly. Magnolia couldn't breathe. She'd never heard him make such a sound; one of pure hunger and rage. "Jazz..." His head whipped towards her, and his hungry eyes softened for a moment. He whimpered.

"Get Jasper out of here," Carlisle muttered. Alice replaced him, and she and Emmett dragged Jasper out of the room. Magnolia didn't watch, she focused all of her attention on Bella. "Magnolia? Are you okay?" Carlisle asked softly.

Magnolia nodded. "Yes," He pressed his hands softly to her back. She winced. Carlisle shook his head disapprovingly. "I'm fine, Carlisle. Focus on Bella."

Carlisle did so. He checked Bella's arm tenderly. "I'll have to stitch this up in my office," Edward watched, his face expressionless. At that moment, Magnolia felt a pang of pity for him, imagining what he must be feeling knowing him bringing Bella here resulted in this. "Go check on Jasper. I'm sure he's very upset with himself and I doubt he'll listen to anyone but you right now," Edward did not move at Carlisle's words. "Edward."

Edward did react. He watched Bella as he left. A pit formed in Magnolia's stomach. "Can I help?" She asked quietly.

Carlisle nodded. "Yes. Help her up to my office while I prepare."

Magnolia did as he asked. She and Bella did not speak as she slowly helped her to Carlisle's office. She sat her down at the chair Carlisle had prepared, and stop beside her. Carlisle began to pick out the pieces of glass carefully from Bella's massive cut. "I never wanted to have a party," Bella sighed. Magnolia placed her hand on Bella's shoulder, comforting her.

"It's not your fault," Carlisle told her sincerely. "Jasper hasn't been away from human blood as long as the rest of us have." Magnolia cringed, her mind wandering back to the living room. She couldn't picture Jasper has a bloodsucking monster. He wasn't. Not to her. He was kind and sweet and funny. No monster could be those things.

"How do you do it?" Bella questioned.

Carlisle chuckled. "Years and years of practice."

"Did you ever think of just doing it the easy way?" Bella's curiosity reminded Magnolia of when she first learned of vampires herself. It made her smile for a moment.

"No," Carlisle shook his head. "I knew who I wanted to be," He never looked away from her stitches. "I wanted to help people. Brings me happiness, even if I am dammed regardless."

"Dammed?" Bella was confused. "Like...like hell?" She chuckled lightly. Carlisle looked at her, his eyes giving her the answer to her question.

Magnolia piped up. "Carlisle, you couldn't be dammed. It's impossible." She meant every word. Carlisle was the kindest man she had ever met, he could never hurt a fly.

Bella nodded. "I agree. You're too good."

Carlisle smiled at the two girls. "Thank you, Magnolia. Thank you too, Bella. You've always been gracious about us."

"So that's it," Bella sighed. "That's why he won't change me?"

Magnolia's eyes winded. Bella wanted to be changed? Since when? She quickly let go of Bella's arm. "I'm sorry...I'm sure you're okay to finish up, Carlisle. I'll get Emmett to drive me home. Good night." She rushed out of the room, ignoring Bella's pleas for her to come back.

She was furious. Bella didn't know the sacrifices she would have to make to become a vampire, she didn't know what I could to Charlie or Renée if she just vanished; what it would do to Magnolia. Her friend becoming what others see as a monster. "Alice?" Magnolia called as she rushed down the stairs. Alice was right there waiting for her. "Can I have my clothes?"

She nodded. "They're already on the couch. Esme and Rosalie are fine with you keeping what you have on." Alice had a frown on her face the entire time she spoke.

Magnolia grabbed the clothes from the couch and clutched them tightly to her chest. "Is...is Jasper okay?"

Alice took a sharp breath in. She shook her head slowly. "No, he's not. But I would give him some space, Maggie. He doesn't want to hurt you again."

"Oh," Magnolia had just about forgotten about the bruise forming on her mid-back. "Tell him I'm okay...and that I would like to talk soon. Could Emmett drive me home?"

Emmett suddenly appeared next to her. "Yup! This way my lady, your chariot awaits." He laughed. Magnolia found it weird how much of a good mood he was in, after the night's events.

•

The drive was fast, thanks to Emmett. Magnolia quickly left the car, calling a small goodbye and thank you to Emmett, before stepping into her house. "Mom? Dad? I'm home." She called, dropping the clothes at the foot of the stairs.

Ariana walked out from the kitchen, smiling. She hugged Magnolia tightly. "How was the party? Did Alice go overboard?" Magnolia nodded. "Oh, that girl," Ariana chuckled. Magnolia had forgotten that her mother was starting to warm up to the Cullen children, much to the annoyance of her father. "Did you have fun?"

Magnolia stepped back. Ariana then noticed the very prominent frown on her face. "Bella...had an accident. Carlisle stitched her up, don't worry."

"An...accident? Why did she need stitches?"

Magnolia cringed. "She cut her finger on some paper...and Jasper he..." She shuddered, unable to finish her sentence, though she didn't need to, Ariana pieced it together herself.

"He didn't bite her, did he? I know his self-control isn't like the rest of the family."

Magnolia shook her head, eyes now on the ground. "No, he didn't. Edward stopped him."

Ariana sighed. "Oh thank god," She paused, looking at her daughter. Magnolia obviously was disturbed from what had happened, but there was no way to comfort her. "Why don't you run a bath, relax for a bit, then go have a nice long sleep." It wasn't a suggestion. Magnolia nodded wordlessly as her mother lead her up the stairs and helped with the bath.

Magnolia didn't admit it, but it did help, a lot more than she thought it would. She nearly fell asleep in the tub, so when it came to lying in her bed, she was out like a light.

•

The next day, Bella had picked Magnolia up. The car ride to school was unbearably awkward. Magnolia could tell how badly Bella wanted to talk to her about her desire to turn, but she just didn't want to hear it. All she wanted was to talk to Jasper, clear it all up, tell him she wasn't afraid of him.

Every class Magnolia had was with Jasper, so it wouldn't be hard to talk to him. At the first bell, Magnolia and Bella parted ways to their respective classes. Magnolia entered her calculus class, and her heart dropped. Jasper wasn't in his seat waiting like he usually was. Trying to hide her obvious frown, she rushed to her seat and began pulling out her supplies. The whole period went by without him showing, and Magnolia knew he wouldn't be s at school at all today.

Her frown had grown as she walked begrudgingly to English. "Morning, Magnolia." Angela smiled at her as she walked in. Magnolia nodded politely back, smiling as best she could. She smiled at Elton too, as she walked past him to her seat at the back of the room. He smiled weakly back.

She couldn't pay attention in class. Every time she tried, the image of Jasper snarling reappeared. She pushed it back the best she could, but for the rest of the period, her mind was elsewhere.

The bell rang, snapping Magnolia out of her trance. Every student rushed to leave, flinging their bags over their shoulders as she ran out. Magnolia noticed Elton lingering, just as she was. She went to walk past him when he stopped her. "Can we talk?"

Magnolia was taken by surprise. "Um, yeah! O-Of course."

They walked silently through the halls together all the way to the cafeteria. Elton day them down at the table right next to when the Cullen's would sit. Magnolia felt her stomach tighten as she sat down. She ate in silence as she waited for Elton to speak up.

When he did, his voice was quiet and meek. "I was wondering if the offer to stay at your house is still open?" If he spoke any quieter, Magnolia might not have heard him over the roar of the cafeteria.

"Really?" She was shocked.

Elton rolled his eyes, a blush creeping up his cheeks. "Yes. I just need somewhere to stay. My boyf- ex won't let me stay at his place anymore. We broke up over the summer."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Elton. Of course, you can stay over. Mom will be thrilled to see you again," Magnolia smiled at him. "And I hope we can...I don't know, reconnect?"

Elton chuckled, shaking his head. "I don't know. I do kinda like the peace and quiet I get without you around."

Magnolia scoffed jokingly. "How dare you!"

The two laughed for the whole lunch period, and for the first time that day, Magnolia didn't once think of Jasper.