Life Goes On

Hmmm... new story, hope it goes well!

EVERYONE IS HUMAN!- that's all I have to say.

Chapter 1- Familiarity

I ran a hand through my tousled, long brown locks and headed to Alice's across the hallway from my apartment.

"Alice, let me in."

"Sure thing Bella," answered a voice.

The door swung open revealing a tiny figure in the door way- Alice.

"Hey Alice, I'm ready," clearly knowing I wasn't ready in Alice's eyes as she scanned my body. She nodded at the dress I was wearing, but looking at my face she shook her head lightly.

"Hmmm… cute but not cute enough," she slipped briefly into her room before re-appearing, armed with her ever-ready 'essential' make-up bag. I stood in Alice's door way restraining an eye-roll as she painted my face which made me feel like a blank canvas, with chemicals mixed with colours.

"…there, much cuter," she said admiring her art, a smile tugging at her pink lips.

Tonight, we, Alice, Rosalie and their boyfriends, Jasper and Emmett and I were going out to a fancy restaurant to fill our bellies silly with over-priced food and wine, that, and meeting an old friend of Emmett and Jasper's. I was dressed in a gorgeous but simple sleeveless white dress covered in sequins at the hem that rested just above mid-thigh. Alice insisted it was perfect- while I insisted I felt naked.

"So when's Rose gonna be ready?" I peered around over Alice's head easily and looked around Alice's apartment, I took in the clothes lying everywhere in little piles all over the place- she obviously took her time getting ready, looking for any sign of the blonde beauty.

"Oh, she's getting ready at Emmett's," Alice laughed, I joined in knowing both Rose and Emmett never took their hands off each other. I sighed at the long night ahead of us.

"I think we are ready to go dear Alice," I smiled holding out my arm.

"I think we are ready to go dear Bella," she linked arms with me grinning like a mad woman. Alice loved meeting new faces.

"Hold on," I stopped Alice, untangling myself from her arm and headed back to my apartment, and opened the door. I was immediately greeted by Skandar, my adorable Golden Labrador puppy. He was licking at my feet, so I dropped down to my knees and as I did so he rolled onto his back with all his paws in the air. I laughed and tickled his tummy naturally, I gently picked him up and gave him a hug.

"Bye bye Skandar, mummy has to go," I kissed his head and he barked at the door.

"Ewww, who kisses their dog?"

I turned to face Alice in my door way who wore an amused expression.

"Shut up Alice, I know who much you want to kiss him," I shot at her, smirking.

"Really? And ruin my make up… I don't think so."

"Alice you know you love the dog."

Skandar as if able to understand English trotted over cocked his head to one side and looked at Alice with his big eyes. I could see Alice's façade cave in as she smiled at him.

"Okay, let's go before I ruin my make up by kissing the dog," she said laughing.

Giving Skandar a pat on his head for a job well done, I closed my apartment door, a smile still on my face, I sighed and shifted my body to face her.

"You guys are so cute together," She giggled dancing her way towards the elevator door.

"Alice you do realise that made me sound like I'm going out with a dog? And what's with you and cute?"

"I dunno, it's a cute word," we both laughed as she continued to dance around me waiting for the elevator.

Ding

The elevator door opened showing our neighbour, Mr. Collins an elderly man relying on his walking stick to balance. He absolutely detested young people- for unknown reasons. He slowly exited the elevator, I swear he was purposely taking his time while mumbling about young people these days and getting high- that remark was definitely aimed at the-still–dancing Alice. She just laughed off his comment. Mr. Collins enjoyed spending his time glaring at young people; he was currently exercising his favourite past-time on Alice and me. He spent a good few minutes shuffling his way out of the elevator. He was so slow that a few times the sliding doors tried to close, he even accused us of trying to kill him, so I, being a nice girl kept my finger firmly pressed on the 'down' button. Alice was about to fall asleep from waiting, and my finger was starting to feel rather numb from pressing the button, we heard him murmur about how young people were so rude these days which made Alice look up.

Mr. Collins was finally out of the elevator, we quickly went in eager to be moving. After the doors closed, shielding us from Mr. Collins glare, I glanced at Alice and she mimicked my actions before breaking out into fits of laughter. As the laughter subsided, I wondered why we weren't moving.

"Um… Bells we should probably press the 'Ground Level' button," she finished with a giggle.

"Right," I pushed the button and watched it light up before we started moving.

Alice turned to face herself in the mirror checking her make-up, hair and her dress while I leaned against the mirror not worrying about my appearance and listening to the calming elevator music.

"Ground Level," a woman's voice filled the small space of the elevator.

I felt the ground move up and down without even looking, I knew it was Alice not bothering to contain her excitement about seeing Jasper. The doors gracefully slid open and Alice skipped out with my hand in hers. I had to jog slightly to keep up with her short legs gliding effortlessly across the foyer. Greg the young door man, about our age gave us a smile.

"How are my two fine ladies going tonight?"

"We're great, and you?" Alice replied flashing him a big grin she always thought Greg was good-looking. I suppressed a smile thinking of how Jasper would react if he knew.

"Well… you know the usual," he enjoyed talking to us, not many people living in this building were under 25 and as confident as Alice to strike up a conversation with the attractive door man.

"So all dressed up are we? Now where are you two beautiful ladies heading?" he asked with curious eyes.

"Just over to a restaurant with some friends," I answered, saving Alice from giving out too much information.

"Aaah... best not keep you up ladies," he took off his hat and bowed dramatically in front of us.

Alice walked in front of me through the doors while Greg bowed his head, I followed and Greg repeated bowing his head as I passed.

"Bye Alice…, Bella."

"See you when we get back," Alice said excitedly.

"Bye." I said being my more-modest-than-Alice self. Alice loved talking to Greg, some might call it flirting but I knew that she only had eyes for Jasper.

Outside our apartment, on the road lined up many taxis queuing up for customers on a Friday night. Alice and I knew driving our own cars would be trouble especially after a few drinks, so being very mature and responsible we opted taking a taxi. Jumping into the nearest one we told the driver our destination and drove off into the night.

On the way Alice filled the silence with her voice, chatting about the clothes she purchased last shopping trip while I half listened. I peered through the window looking at the midnight black sky

The taxi abruptly halted to a stop in front of the grand restaurant. I looked through the window taking in the view. It was gorgeous. The restaurant was two storeys high and was almost completely made of glass, it overlooked a river that was glistening in the moonlight making the place look even more grand. I saw people chatting and dining inside looking completely at ease, the scene was picturesque.

"It's breath-taking," Alice sighed, her wide eyes were glazed over, as if she were mesmerised.

"Alice, I can't even afford to pee in a place like this."

Alice laughter rang through the taxi, I suddenly realised we were still in the taxi, breaking my trance we split the bill for the taxi and exited the car.

Alice clapped her hands together quickly like child in a candy-store, smoothed down her black baby-doll dress and dragged me to the massive glass doors. Taking in a deep breath I walked through the doors and into restaurant. Alice confidently strode over to the lady who was ordering others to guide the guests to their tables, with my hand still in hers she pulled me with her.

"A friend reserved a table for six under Emmett," she told the stressed lady.

She typed in Emmett's name into the computer, "ah, none of your friends has arrived yet so I'll get someone to take you to your table," she finished with a forced smile.

"Jimmy, could you please take the two ladies to table 56," she talked into her mouth piece.

Jimmy appeared from the doorway that led to the dining area of the restaurant. He too looked incredibly stressed, it was a busy night for them.

"Follow me."

"Have a nice night," the woman told us, we both smiled and thanked her.

Jimmy knowing his way around the restaurant like the back of his hand lead us past many tables filled with people chatting and eating. Watching them made my stomach grumble, Alice not so subtly glanced at my stomach and looked at me with a smirk.

"Someone's hungry."

I rolled my eyes at her and just when I stuck my tongue out at her, Jimmy turned and caught me with my tongue outside my mouth. Alice burst out laughing causing heads to turn. I quickly stuck my tongue back in my mouth before anyone else saw. I saw Jimmy try to cover his laugh with his hand unsuccessfully, I felt my face getting warmer by the second. I nudged Alice in the stomach, but this made her laugh even harder.

"I'll leave you two to enjoy your dinner," he gestured at the table that definitely had one of the best views in the restaurant. The table was a semi-circle, with the straight side pushed against the window so that everyone sitting could enjoy the view of the river.

His face still amused smiled at us and left.

"Wow," Alice had stopped laughing after seeing that Emmett had reserved the best table in the house, "Whoever this guys is, Emmett must really like him."

I nodded.

"OH! I bags sitting here!" Alice cried out, again drawing attention to us. Of course she wanted the chair with the best view, she sat down eagerly bouncing up and down looking straight ahead at the river. I sat to the right of her, we sat in silence just staring into the deep blue sky.

"Excuse me, you must be friend's of Emmett and Jasper," a smooth deep voice erupted from behind us. Alice and I jumped a foot into the air. Luckily for Alice's vertically challenged body she didn't hit the table with her knees, but an unlucky girl next to her managed to give each of her knees a lovely bruise.

"Ow!" I cried rubbing my knees.

"I'm so sorry I didn't mean to startle you." The man said.

Still rubbing my knees, I turned and was greeted with very familiar emerald eyes.

Thanks for reading!

live4eva