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.
"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.
Bella nods happily. "Not sure how to go about it though. I mean, they've already met."
"Oh. Well, that's potentially inconvenient," sighs Bella. "And potentially not. How do you know?"
And she pulls out her phone and dials.
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?"
"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."
"She got me a card and got like forty people to sign it," Bella laughs. "I think that's relatively customary when one is hospitalized."
"Actually caring about people is cute in general?" Bella asks, cocking her head. "Or displaying actual care by means of a card is?"
"Tonight, chicken. Tomorrow, plans. The day after, more plans - to take over the world!"
"I think my brain has decided that you are my pet," she says, pausing with her hand still on his head. "I'm genuinely uncertain if that would bother you or not."