E v. J??

So recently there was a contest through the Seattle Times so I entered (don't know when they'll announce the winners, doubt I'd win anyway), and I had less than 24 hours to put it together.  Kind of fun!

This is a subject that many a teenage girl has been supremely committed to!  So much so that I’ve heard actual fist fights have ensued.  I’m guessing with so many Twi-mom’s out there now (myself included), that there have been many debates with them as well.  As for me, I suppose (not unlike Bella), that I’m Switzerland.  Neutral.   For someone who’s not finished the series I can see where a “team” might come into play.  But, since I know the ending (at least the ending so far, I’m secretly BEGGING my new idol Stephenie Meyer to extend the series), and understand how it’s all knit together, I’m left feeling teamless.  However, for the sake of argument and for our thoughts on who Bella truly belongs with, let’s address both of our fictional treasures!

Team Edward.  So let’s break down our beloved Edward Cullen.  He’s a mythical creature that we’re all longing to find, not unlike a woman as she’s looking for “the one” from the time she starts liking boys in the 3rd grade!  Let me be clear, not only is Edward fictional because he’s in a book and he’s a vampire, but these guys DO NOT EXIEST!  Not because our guys aren’t great, or that they can’t possess some of the qualities but show me this truly perfect guy who can keep this up long term?  Not promising.  We are humans, which, in turn, mean we are not perfect.  Possibly, that’s why Stephenie made him a vampire, so that we could actually believe the story a bit more than if he were just some guy.  So what is it that we love about Edward?  Wow, well for one, Stephanie writes him as excruciatingly beautiful, educated, articulate, genuine, polite, a caretaker, thinks of others first, he’s constantly asking himself if he’s doing the right thing for the girl he involuntarily loves.  This is his epic struggle through the entire series.  So, do we love him?  I certainly do.  Some would disagree.  They find him moody, controlling and unable to “figure it out”.  But again, I find that when he’s in that turmoil it’s only to find where he belongs in life, if in fact he is living.  Doesn’t every girl/woman want to be loved by someone so much that they can’t be away from us (I just puked a little in my mouth, but it’s true at least to a point), and a chap who can find us at our worst and still think we’re amazing; someone who will be there to catch us when we fall, but will allow us fall?  And many of us ladies find intrigue in a bad boy who’s trying so hard to be good … again, Edward fits into this category.  The most important thing I find in Edward is that Edward is secure; safe.  There’s nothing a woman wants more than to feel safe.  That is Edward.  Now, let’s discuss what Jacob brings to the table.

Team Jacob.  I have to state for the record that I LOVE JACOB!  I too am an Indian girl, so I can relate to him in SO many ways!  He is fun, he’s impulsive (which does get us into trouble of course, but who can blame him, and what fun is there in being uptight and safe all the time), loyal, protective, spontaneous, and the boy (and I do mean boy … child, seriously, he’s underage and I should be writing none of this), has a heart as big as they come.  He loves Bella unabashedly and without apology.  He wears his heart on his sleeve to a fault.  Ok, he’s cute too, but again I repeat, underage (I realize Edward is 17, but he’s been 17 so long that he’s not actually 17 anymore).    I see that Jacob wants Bella to be happy and he just can’t fathom that with Edward the blood sucker.  The boy takes EVERY possible chance to get Bella to fall for him and is usually patient with her as she’s coming out of the inconceivable pain caused by the loss of her true love.  Jacob knows he’ll never replace that for her, but he’ll die trying.  He knows Bella’s heart in and out and will do anything to keep her from feeling some of that pain, even if it means causing pain to himself.  Who does that??  Even Edward put Bella in danger (even if it was calculated danger with Alice knowing the future and all), by being around her when he could snap at any given moment.  Jacob wanted nothing by Bella’s happiness.  Jacob too knows Bella inside and out and also gives her that security; safe place.  The choice is an impossible one, but to me is none the less clear. 

So, if you’re asking who I think is best for Bella I’d say hands down Edward.  Not only is he the one she TRULY loves but the poor girl can’t walk on a flat surface without falling and bleeding.  She needs both Edward and Carlisle to keep the poor thing in one piece.  Here’s the deal.  I HATED New Moon at first because he LEFT her … not only did he leave her, he left her unprotected and with a secret burden no individual should be required to bear.  Jacob came into her life as an integral part of helping Bella heal and remember who she was, with or without Edward.  Jacob too has an undeniable connection with Bella, and without question holds a place in her life, her family.  So when she was finally reunited with Edward she knew without question to whom her heart belonged to.  Without that drought of vamps she would have never know how deep her love for him truly flowed and neither would Edward’s.  He realized that possibly Alice could be right. 

In the end, Bella belongs with Edward.  For me?  I would like to put in a request for a hybrid.  How ‘bout it Stephenie??  ;-)