DISCLAIMER: All characters belong to the brilliant Stephenie Meyer.

Ch 1:

"Hey Nat, wanna go out dancing tonight?" I asked with crossed fingers.

"What did you and Renee argue over this time?" my friend asked.

Natalie knew me almost too well; she knew I would never willingly go dancing unless I really needed to get out of the house. I was the biggest klutz around, I was the master of tripping over air, and I had it perfected.

"Well, my dear mother decided to tell me that 'Feely Phil' is moving in, so I need to be anywhere but my house at the moment." I grumbled down the phone.

"ew! He is too gross for words Bella, what your mom sees in him I really don't know! But I would love to go dancing; we haven't had a good night out in ages."

"Great, so I'll be over to your house in around an hour and we can get ready together."

"Coolio", she said before hanging up.

I tossed my phone onto my bed and quickly scrambled around gathering my toiletries and new underwear before heading the bathroom to shower, but not before stubbing my toe on the foot of my bed first.

"ow! Ow! Ow! OWWWW!",I yelled as my toe throbbed in pain.

"Bella, are you okay up there?", my Mom asked from the bottom of the stairs.

"Yeah fine Mom, just stubbed my toe again", I called back while picking myself up from the floor and grabbing my toiletries, and walking carefully to the bathroom.

I turned the shower on as hot as my skin could stand it and I got in, letting the water soak my hair first. A shower was always the best way for me to relax, I grabbed my shampoo bottle and it spluttered as I squeezed the contents into my hand. I was running out, I would have to remind Renee to put in on the list for the store tomorrow. The Strawberry scent wafted around me and I quickly began washing my hair.

Once I was satisfied that every inch of me was clean, I stepped from the shower wrapping a towel around my body. I made my way to the mirror over the sink, which was now all fogged up with the steam from my shower. I wiped my hand across the smooth surface of it and looked at the reflection of my face in the mirror. My skin was slightly reddened from the shower, but other than that it was its usual lily white. I could never get a tan, even if I went out into the sun I burned pretty quickly, but the red always just faded back to the pale ivory color it was before, and don't even get me started on fake tan. Nat insisted I try it once, but I was left orange for days after before it came off. I looked ridiculous. Luckily enough my skin was really clear and had an even tone. I sighed and turned away from the mirror, grabbed my stuff and headed back toward my bedroom.

I pulled a pair of shorts and tank top from my closet and got dressed quickly. I grabbed a bag and stuffed in a pair of pajamas and my toothbrush. I slipped my feet into my flip flops and headed downstairs. All my clothes for the night club I kept at Natalie's house, because Renee wouldn't let me go dancing, so I usually lied and said I was sleeping over in Nat's house. I walked into the kitchen to be greeted by a lovely view of Phil's hands on my mother's backside, while she was between him and the counter top.

"Gross", I muttered while making a swift U-turn out of the kitchen. Renee didn't notice me, obviously to distracted, so I just grabbed my keys form the hook beside the door and left. I would call her in a bit to tell her where I was.

I stepped outside into the heat of the Phoenix air, turning my face toward the sun for a moment enjoying the heat it was giving off. I hopped into my car and threw my rucksack onto the passenger seat and started the engine. I sat for a moment before driving just the let the air conditioner work its magic on the hot air inside the car.

Natalie only lived about fifteen minutes away so I was at her house in no time. I pulled into her drive, which was empty. This usually meant her mom was away for the weekend, so we could get in as late as we wanted tonight and not have to worry about sneaking out either. I made my way up to her house and the door opened just as I had lifted my fist to knock. Nat let out a little squeal and hugged me tightly.

"Hey Nat", I gasped slightly she was hugging me so tightly, "you do realize u you seen me a few hours ago at school right?"

"Of course I realize that Bella, I'm just so excited about tonight." She let me go and grabbed my hand dragging me upstairs to her bedroom. "I have the perfect dress for you to wear too, and the shoes! OMG the shoes!" she said in her high pitched voice.

I groaned but followed her none the less.

Natalie was my best friend, we had a great time together and I could tell her anything, but were polar opposites. She was the typical girly girl, she was a similar height to me and similar size, but she was tanned and blonde, whereas I was pale and brunette. She loved clothes, shoes and boys. She always had boyfriends and wasn't shy at all. I, on the other hand, had never had a boyfriend, and blushed scarlet when anybody I didn't know approached me. Natalie was also really pretty, she had big blue eyes, a straight little nose and pouty lips that would make any guy melt at the sight of her. It was safe to say I was the plain Jane in our friendship, but because I've known her so long it never bothered me much, it was just another fact of life for me like my clumsiness.

I was snapped out of my train of thought by a pair of peep-toe heels being swayed in form of my face. I laughed and swatted them away from my face. "okay, let's see this oh so magnificent dress you're planning on dressing me in" I said in a sarcastic tone.

"Omg Bella you're going to love it" she said while running to her wardrobe and pulling out the dress.

"I have to admit, I'm pleasantly surprised, I really like it!", I said in mock-shocked voiced while holding my hand to my heart.

"oh shut up, and go put it on so I can do your hair" she playfully snapped back

I took the dress from her, and picked the shoes from the floor where they landed when I swatted them away, and headed for her bathroom. I quickly slipped on the dress and turned to look at it in the full length mirror that hung on the back of the bathroom door. The dress was actually really pretty. It was a deep blue, almost navy empire waist dress, with sequined straps that criss-crossed in the back, leaving my back mostly bare. The skirt of the dress hung loosely and fell to mid-thigh. It fit like a dream too.

I smiled and made my way out of the bathroom. I decided to leave the shoes off until we were actually leaving the house.

"Wow, Bella, that dress looks great on you, and that color does wonders for your skin, it looks like porcelain." Natalie complimented the second I stepped out of the bathroom.

"Thanks Nat, but I think we've known each other long enough not to pretend I look better than I do." I said looking at the floor and blushing slightly.

"Silly Bella, you never listen to me and see yourself clearly, it's very annoying sometimes." She scolded

I then looked up at her, she was in a fitted candy pink dress, that hugged her body perfectly, and showed off her great tan and blonde hair. "wow, Nat, that's the best I've seen you look, that dress is amazing on you."I said slightly awed at her appearance.

"Thanks Bells, it is a great dress, I couldn't help myself when I seen it in the store." Natalie was never one to turn down a compliment. "Now sit so I can do your hair"

I sat and closed my eyes while Natalie worked her magic on my hair. I really like my hair, it was a rich mahogany brown and hung to about a inch above my waist. When I re-opened my eyes, I saw that it was set into loose curls, that didn't take away the length in my hair, and made it look, if it was possible, thicker. I smiled and thanked her before starting to do my make-up. I never needed much, if I went too heavy on the eye makeup, I could end up looking like a vampire, because my skin was so pale and my hair so dark.

Finally when we were ready, we left the house and I drove into town. I was always the designated driver because I hated the taste of alcohol, so I usually just stuck to soda, not that either of should be drinking anyways, we were both underage. This last thought reminded me of our I.d's.

"Did you remember to bring our fake i.d's?" I asked Natalie, who was tapping away at her cell phone.

"Of course, got 'em right here.", she said grinning while continuing to text on her phone.

"Is there anyone else meeting us there tonight?", I asked knowing full well that there was, Nat only grinned that big for one person, Jared.

"oh…um..yeah I think Jared is coming, I'm texting him now, he just doesn't know if he can get out of the house, both his parent decided to stay in tonight."

"I knew that grin was there for a reason, you really like him don't you?"

"yeah I think so, I mean he is gorgeous and really sweet, and my god is that boy good in bed!"

"okay, far too much information Nat, you know I don't like hearing about whatever antics you get up to in the bedroom"

"who said it was always in the bedroom?" she replied with a cheeky grin.

"uck, change of subject please?!", I pleaded with her

"Fair enough, just cause you're a nun!", I was about to argue back at her, but my phone rang.

I picked it up and the caller i.d read 'Home'. I suddenly realized I forgot to call my mom and tell her where I was. I pressed the button to answer it….

"Hi, mom"

"Bella, what did I tell you about leaving the house without telling me first, I have no idea where you are, you know better than to not call me." She said sternly.

"I know mom, I did try to tell you, but I was greeted by the lovely view of Phil's hands on your ass, while the two of you got 'friendly' with the kitchen counter, so sorry if I value my eyesight." I snapped back.

"Oh…you saw that huh?"

"Yep!" I said popping the 'p' before continuing, "I'm staying over in Nat's tonight, we're having a movie night and pizza night, and I got distracted so I forget to call."

"Sorry about that honey I thought you were still in the shower. Tell Natalie I said 'Hi', and enjoy your night."

"Kay. Bye mom" and I hung up the phone.

I turned to see Nat still enthralled in her text conversation with Jared. "so is he coming?" I asked her breaking her out of whatever day dream she was having.

"Sure is!" she said grinning, "He told his mom he was staying at Paul's tonight, you don't mind if he stays at mine too do you?"

"Nah, its coolio, I'll probably be in a deep sleep the second my head hits the pillow so I won't hear the pair of you, what I don't hear cant disturb me!" I laughed and she rolled her eyes.

"We're here!!" I sang cheerily while pulling into the parking lot.

"About time, you drive so slow Bella"

"Ah you love me really Nat, and if we didn't put up with each other, who else would?" I laughed as we made our way to the door.

"True 'Bells the Besty'!"

"But please don't introduce me as that tonight, it's starting to stick, and I hate nicknames!"

She just laughed and hooked her arm through mine as we walked up to the bouncer. We usually always got in without any hassle; we brought the i.d's as a precaution. When we got to the door, Nat smiled at the bouncer and he pulled back the rope for us to enter the club.