Disclaimer: I own nothing. It's all Stephenie's.

No Such Thing as Love

Chapter One

Worst Day of My Life

I rolled the aggravating tension out of my neck, attempting to avoid Jessica Stanley's glares as I cleaned Table Three. She had been that way with me all week, sticking her leg out when I walked near her, sneering at me from the kitchen window, dropping food and drinks on purpose, all so that I would have to clean them up. She even got her friend Lauren to come in as a customer and sit at one of my tables, thoroughly ruining my day by claiming I got her all the wrong things, even though I knew I always heard her correctly.

Jessica hated me, plain and simple. I couldn't do anything about it, however, because she was dating Mike, the co-manager of Riley's Bar and Grill, my current workplace. Mike and Jessica had been working here for about four years, and I was the newcomer, the outcast, having been here only six months-six months of absolute and unending hell in this godforsaken restaurant.

Mike flirted with me day in and day out. He loved to call me in for overtime, and at first I thought he had secretly hated me, but then I realized that he had developed a crush on me. He and Jessica had been a couple long before I showed up, and now I was on the bad end of Jessica's jealousy, even though I had never once returned his advances. Every day I feared going to work, not because I was afraid of the petty girl, but because I knew this wouldn't last forever. One day, Jessica would confront Mike for his disloyalty, and he would have to choose between satisfying his girlfriend by getting rid of me or keeping me around, the girl who had shown no interest in him whatsoever. I had a feeling shit would go down soon, and I had an even worse feeling about what his choice would be. Something told me today was the day.

I felt a quick slap on my ass and turned around, ready to punch whoever it was who had the nerve to mess with me on this horrific day, and saw that it was Mike, of course, holding the towel he had wrapped and whipped me with. I swallowed in the retort that was about to rush out of my mouth, instantly becoming calm in the presence of my boss. I wished the real manager of this place would come more often, instead of the measly twice a month visits he made, and then I might have a chance to confront him about the man he had hired to take care of Riley's. I smiled at Mike politely as he wiggled his eyebrows at me suggestively. Really, Asshole? Do you have to do that right in front of your girlfriend? She hates me enough as it is, I thought. I peeked a look at Jessica, who was staring at me with a look that could kill. Then she rolled her eyes and swished her hair, walking away and out of view.

"What are you doing for your break, Bella?" Mike asked, leaning against the table I was trying to wipe clean.

"I don't know. I really need some groceries." Definitely nothing with you, Jackass, I mentally added. I always tried to keep our conversations short, but he could never seem to take the hint.

"Oh, well, you can always go shopping later," Mike said. His mouth opened to continue and I prayed that he wasn't going to ask me to go somewhere with him. I needed this job, but I wasn't above hitting my boss if he was inappropriate with me. "Maybe we could do something together-"

I cut him off. "No, I think I really need to get my errands done, but thank you, Mike," I said, slowly backing away from him. I couldn't believe he had the nerve to flirt with me, especially when his girlfriend was in close proximity.

My break wasn't for another hour, and I couldn't wait to get away from here, even if it was only for an hour. Telling Mike I had to go grocery shopping was only a half-lie. Truly, it could wait for tomorrow.

"Mike!" I heard the bitch yell from the kitchen. I heard him groan before he finally-thankfully-left my presence. I could hear the couple arguing as I cleaned the rest of my tables, and it was obviously about me. It was beyond me that Mike still put up with her even after he showed his preference for me. He was the co-manager, after all; he could just fire the pest. I suspected that she was his fall-back pussy, and he only stayed with her because he couldn't get anyone else. I honestly wanted them both gone, but if I had to choose between the two, I'd vote Jessica gone. I'd take aggravating flirting over constant death glares any day.

The next hour passed by surprisingly fast, and it was finally time for my break. I had an hour off, and then I would have to come back to Riley's until nine, the closing time. I picked up a muffuletta with extra olives and ate on my way to the nearest grocery store. Walking through the food aisles always brought memories of Charlie back to me. I missed my father so much; he had been my rock for so long. I was in my second year of college when he died of a massive heart attack, and I was heartbroken My mother had left when I was four, and I had no clear memories of her. Charlie was my best friend, and we had the best relationship a father and daughter could have. He passed nearly a year ago, and then my life took a turn for the worst. I had no money; all I had was a measly scholarship and a grant, but that wouldn't pay for my dad's house bills, and it certainly wouldn't get me through two more years of college. I also lost the motivation for anything. I was going for a bachelor's degree in Business, but after my dad died, it was hard to get back to routine.

I had a few friends back in Forks, but nothing worth staying for. I tried getting a job everywhere, but there was just nothing available in my little hometown. Going around town killed me, too. Every place I went, people tried to console me or talk about how good of a man the police chief had been. I didn't want to deal with it anymore, any of it. So, I decided I needed to get away and start over. Something about the city of New Orleans attracted me, and there was also the fact that it was a very big, very busy city. I knew I could find a job somewhere, for sure. I also loved how the city had gone through so much with Hurricane Katrina, and yet it still stayed strong. I packed my bags and sold my father's house, bought a one way ticket and vowed to not look back. My first three months were spent in a shitty apartment just on the outskirts of New Orleans. I'd never realized how much an apartment in New Orleans could cost; it was a small fortune I could not afford. It was very hard to adjust, especially with the extremely different weather from Forks, Washington. It was sweltering and humid here, and it was below sea level, which really freaked me out. If there was a flood, I was pretty doomed. And there were so many different kinds of people. One day I could be greeted by the nicest couple who offered to invite me over some time, and the next day I could be walking in the French Quarters, minding my own business when some asshole drives by yelling at me to "eat shit." One day I could be really happy with my decision to move to 'Nawlins,' as the locals called it, and the next day I could be completely miserable.

I got the job at Riley's, and even though I was struggling, I was getting by. I was a stranger in a big city, but I was fine with that; I always felt like a nobody anyway. Then I met Jacob Black, my current boyfriend, and I moved into his apartment shortly after we started dating. His apartment wasn't anything special, but it was much nicer than mine, plus it was in the city and closer to Riley's. I wasn't really in love with Jacob, he wasn't my whole world, but I loved him, and I knew I could be in love with him one day. I gave my virginity to him shortly after moving in, and we'd been together three months so far. I'd been doing many things I would normally deem unacceptable, but like I said, I was screwed up after my father's death. Jacob was good to me, and he made me happy-as happy as I could be. He was pretty quiet, though, lately, and I figured it was because he was not used to living with a girl. Jacob had changed much of his life for me, and even though I hated being needy, I really depended on him.

I stared at the 'Fresh Vegetables' sign in quiet wonder, my thoughts drifting back to what could have been had Charlie not passed. I shook my head, getting rid of the pointless 'what ifs'. My fate was decided, and there was nothing I could do about it. I couldn't go back in time to change the future; and focusing on it only made me more depressed.

I sighed and walked into the frozen section, hoping Jake was in the mood for fried fish.

I got back at work five minutes before my break hour was over, and I could tell something was askew. Mike didn't greet me with his usual toothy grin, and Jessica was standing by the swinging door that led to the kitchen, her hands on her hips and wearing an expression that said, "I'm waiting."

There were few customers at the moment, and all of their curious eyes were on me. Did something go down while I was gone? Mike walked over to me. He leaned in close and asked to see me in the back. I nodded, my heart in my throat, fearing the worst. I followed him to the kitchen. I could still feel Jessica's glare on me as I walked past her, but I refused to look at her. I heard her footsteps as she followed behind me. When Mike turned around to face me, his eyes wouldn't meet my own. This was bad, very bad.

"Bella, I'm really sorry to tell you this-" I heard Jessica snort-"but I'm going to have to ask you to resign," he said, still not looking at me. My breath caught, and my eyes burned with unshed tears. I needed to do something, and I wasn't above begging. I walked closer to Mike.

"No! No, Mike, please! I need this job!" I cried. I can't believe you're letting that bitch have her way! I wanted to shout.

"Bella, I'm sure you understand my decision what with the economy being so bad right now. You're not the first person I've had to lay off," he lied. The tears ran down my numb cheeks.

"Look at me, Michael," I said. I wanted him to see the sadness in my eyes. I wanted him to know what he was doing to me. I wanted to look into his eyes and see that he really meant it. He obliged, and I saw his baby blue eyes flicker with pity before hardening. He wasn't going to change his mind. My hands came up to wipe my tears, and I heard Jessica snicker behind me like a sixteen year old girl. I could just imagine her yelling at Mike while I was gone, letting all the customers hear, embarrassing him until he agreed to her wishes of banishing me. I briefly thought about calling the top manager of Riley's to argue my being fired, but it just wasn't worth it.

I shook my head in disgust. I had one more thing to say to Michael Newton. "I can't believe you would stoop this low for pussy, Mike. Thank God I never hooked up with you." His eyes widened and he backed away from me as if I were going to hit him. I sure as hell wanted to.

With that, I turned on my heel and walked out, ignoring Jessica. The customers still looked at me as I walked between tables to get to the double doors, but I paid them no attention. I tried to keep my head up and my pride intact as I walked to my truck, but as soon as I sat in the driver's seat, the tears started again. It had taken me nearly two months to find that job, and now I would have to start all over. I wouldn't be able to survive another two months without pay. Jacob's face swam into my thoughts, and I was so thankful to have him to go home to. He would comfort me, tell me everything would be okay. He would take care of me until I found a new occupation. He had bought me the truck so that I wouldn't have to walk everywhere in this dangerous city. It was the sweetest thing anyone had done for me in a long time.

I dried my tears and started the engine, put the car in drive and headed home. Jake would be happy to finally get an early dinner, and I smiled at the thought of surprising him.

When I got to the apartment, I parked in my usual spot and walked up the stairs to the second floor, right to the door with the numbers '208' in bold. I could hear noises, but I knew it must just be the television. Jacob never had friends over. I unlocked the door and turned on the living room light. The TV wasn't on, which I found was strange since it was the only TV in the apartment, and I still heard noises.

I knew Jake was here-I'd seen his Rabbit in the parking lot. The sound was coming from our bedroom, the only bedroom in the apartment, and I walked toward it. Now there was banging and…moaning? A woman's voice?

"Oh, Jacob! Yes! Fuck me like you mean it!" I heard. I saw red and threw the bedroom door open, not even thinking about the sight I would see before me.

Sure enough, there was a strawberry blond in the bed I had slept in for the last three months. She wasn't facing me, and I could see her bare back and waist, but the rest of her was covered by the bedspread. She was hopping up and down on her knees, sitting up straight, but what really got my attention was the fingers wrapped around her waist-very manly, tan fingers, fingers I knew very well. The sound of the door banging against the wall barely registered with my ears, but it apparently caught the attention of the slut in my bed, because she stopped her movements and turned around to look at me. I saw Jacob's face appear around her body, and his expression turned to one of horror. It was the last thing I saw before I completely lost it.

I grabbed the snow globe from the dresser next to me and threw it at him. I must have good aim when I'm pissed because if he hadn't moved, it would have surely hit him instead of shattering against the bed's headboard. I threw everything in reach-the alarm clock, the lamp, the little flower pot I always hated.

"I thought you said she wasn't supposed to be back until after nine!" the girl shouted, ducking as I threw inanimate object after inanimate object. Jacob ignored her and ran toward me, ceasing my throws. He was still naked and hard, and it made me even more furious. He had my hands in a tight grip to keep me from hurting him, so I kneed him in the groin as hard as I could. He let go of me quickly to grab his not-so-hard-now junk and fell to the floor.

"Fuck!" he wheezed. I could smell the alcohol on him, and I just stared at him in satisfaction as he cradled his penis. I hope I broke it, I thought. Then he became angry.

"Get out of my apartment!" he shouted at me from the floor. His words didn't do anything to me-I just stood there. He gingerly got up and moved toward his pants, pulling them on. He still held himself as he walked toward me, towering over me. Now my face was full of angry tears. "Give me my keys to the apartment and my truck and get the fuck out, you stupid bitch!" he yelled in my face. I could see the angry dancing vein in his forehead, and he seemed intoxicated, but I knew he knew what he was doing. I didn't want to be here anyway.

"Gladly," I spat, taking both keys from my pocket and dropping them in his free hand. He was furious that I had kneed him, but I couldn't care less. I grabbed a grocery bag from the kitchen and stuffed a few jeans and shirts into it, Jacob's and the slut's eyes on me the entire time. I ran out as fast as I could, down the stairs and into the parking lot. The shock was wearing off, and I was starting to come to terms with what had just happened. I didn't want to think about it, didn't want to look at the truck and apartment that wasn't mine anymore.

I ran. I ran as fast as I could, refusing to think, refusing to let the images appear in my mind, the images of Mike firing me and Jake cheating on me. I ran to no place in particular, just letting my feet hit the road. I passed the grocery market I had gone to earlier, I passed a mall and a park. I didn't know where I was, but I wasn't going to stop.

Eventually, I felt a sting in my chest from running for so long, and slowed down, taking in my surroundings. I was in a street with every type of building imaginable. There were apartment suites, there was a hotel, a few restaurants. A few cars were parked on the side of the road.

I had no idea where I was. This part of town was not familiar at all, and fear grew inside of me. I pushed it down; being lost was better than still being at the asshole's apartment. I looked around for a sigh that indicated where I could possibly be. I could find no hint, however, and I decided to ask someone.

People were walking along the street, but it wasn't packed. There was a gypsy with tarot cards and a table right in the middle of the road. I could hear the booming music of a club nearby, and figured I could ask someone inside. When I was close to the open double doors, I saw that the club was called "The Bourbon Cowboy."

Oh, I was on Bourbon Street. How strange. I'd heard things about this place, but I'd never actually been to it. I looked inside The Bourbon Cowboy and met a sight that would be forever etched into my brain.

A woman inside was riding on a mechanical bull, whirling and flailing everywhere. That wasn't what bothered me, though. She was butt-ass naked, her titties flying north, south, east, and west as she held on to the damn thing. I wrenched my eyes away from the disturbing scene, and I could hear drunk men yelling for more as I walked away. Definitely not going in there, I thought.

I walked around for a little while, hoping I could find a shelter, just something to hold me for the night. I refused to let my mind wander as I strode Bourbon.

An hour later found me freezing and extremely exhausted. A bank's board clock told me it was almost one in the morning, and I knew I wouldn't be able to just walk around in the dark for hours. I sighed, but looked for a place to crash. The bars all around were open kicking; they didn't seem to be closing anytime soon.

I found an empty alleyway with a restaurant across the street. No one could see me in it, I was sure, because it was so dark. It wasn't as grimy as most alleyways, but I definitely wasn't going to lay on the ground. People had probably pissed and shit in here. Ugh.

I sat down in the far left corner, leaning my head against the cleanest part of the wall, and attempted sleep. It didn't come, just as I knew it wouldn't. Realization washed over me, and the tears hit soon after. I was homeless, I was alone. I'd lost my job, my boyfriend, and my home all in one night. All I had was the clothes on my back.

I sobbed uncontrollably, my chest heaving over and over. I couldn't even muster up the energy to wipe my tears. I put my forehead to my knees, wrapping my arms around myself.

I stayed like that for a long, long time, the images of Mike telling me I was fired and Jake in bed with another woman breaking my heart more every minute. My hair and the collar of my shirt were now soaked, and it made me impossibly more cold.

I was startled by a cold hand on my shoulder. I jumped and looked up into the face of the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice like chime bells. She had long, beautiful golden blonde hair that reached below her ribs. Her eyes were dark brown, almost black, but full of kindness. She wore a ton of makeup, making her look older than she probably was.

Trying not to stare through my blurry eyes, I looked away and answered her with honesty. "No, not exactly." I wiped the huge tears from my numb face and tried to stop shaking.

I looked back up at her, noticing her clothing, if you could even call it that. Her shirt was cut in half, revealing her whole flat stomach, and it was a deep V-neck. It was coupled with a tiny jean mini-skirt, short enough that I could almost see her crotch. Fishnet stockings coated her legs until they met the knee high boots with stiletto heels on her feet. She was extremely tall with them, probably five-foot-eleven, and I couldn't help but feel freaked out at first. The only thing that seemed to keep her from freezing was the beat up leather jacket over her little shirt.

"Where you live? You need a ride home?" she asked with a complete Cajun accent, ignoring the fact that I was gaping at her.

I thought about my answer for a second. Did I tell her the truth or fib a little to look less pathetic? I decided on the former. It didn't see like she would judge me, after all, considering her attire.

"Here…I guess…" I murmured, ignoring the latter part of her question. She frowned, and looked at me for a few seconds before looking back toward the road. She seemed to be contemplating something as she turned her eyes back to mine.

"You're a good looking girl," she stated. The way she said it was nonchalant, as if it were no big deal. She nodded to herself, pursing her lips. "Too pretty to not get noticed. Being alone only makes it worse." I stared up at her. What was she getting at?

"I can get you a place to stay, if you'd like. I mean, it's no Hilton, but it's certainly better than this," the woman said, gesturing to the dirty walls of the alley. Hope bloomed in my chest. It was very kind of her, but I wasn't sure. I looked her up and down again. She looked as if she could hurt me if she wanted to, but she didn't seem violent, and I really did not want to stay here all night. Maybe I could take her up on her offer. I could just stay and sleep one night, no big deal. Then after I was rested, I could think straight and decide on what I would do next. Making decisions in my state of mind now would be pointless. It was better to wait till morning.

"Um, okay. That sounds great. Thank you," I said, shakily sitting up to get on my feet. She offered me a hand, and I took it, standing up. She towered over me.

"My name's Rosalie, but everyone calls me Rose," she said, walking toward the street. I followed her. "But don't ever call me Rosie, kay? I hate that fucking name." I nodded, committing her name preference to memory. We walked the side of the street together, her chatting off. There was a van a little ways away, and she said that was where we were headed.

"What is your name, anyway?" Rose asked. I told her, and she nodded, not even looking at me. "Did someone throw you out? Does anyone know you're here on Bourbon?" she asked when we were about ten feet away from the large vehicle.

"No. I was distraught, and I ran. No one cares enough about me to come looking for me," I said lamely. I knew I sounded like I was pitying myself, but I found that I couldn't care less. Rosalie merely nodded, still not looking at me. She kept her eyes on the van the whole time. Her questions were automatic, but she didn't seem to care about my answers. It was the strangest thing.

When we finally reached the van, Rose opened the sliding back door. Two men were sitting there, and a woman was lying in the backseat, sleeping. It made me uneasy. The man farthest from me had blonde hair tied back in a ponytail. The man closest to me was very built and handsome, though he looked a little rugged. He had very thick stubble, and I could smell the whiskey on him from three feet away. He took a long look at me before he looked at my new acquaintance and clapped his hands.

"Well, well, Rosie, baby! You sure hit the jackpot tonight! What have you brought ol' Royce this time? Or, should I say who?" the man bumbled out, looking back at me. I didn't like it, my instincts told me to run. But I was glued to the spot. Rose looked at me, the weirdest look upon her beautiful features. She looked…apologetic?

Then the look was gone, and she was looking at the man named Royce. "Name's Bella. No one knows she's here," Rose said in a bored voice. Royce and the man behind him leaned toward me. Uh-oh.

I felt my feet move before I even thought about running. I didn't get far, though, before strong arms took hold of me and held a napkin over my mouth. The man named Royce restrained me, ignoring my kicks and whimpers. I knew that if I breathed in whatever was in that napkin, I would go unconscious. It was inevitable, though, and I breathed in, taking in the drug as the men dragged me into the van.

"Wooo, pretty girl, you're going to make me some money!" Royce said. My mind was foggy and deep lethargy washed over me, no matter how hard I tried to avoid breathing into the napkin.

The last thing I saw before falling asleep was Rosalie's pained face, staring at me with a deep frown.

And all I could think was "You bitch."

This was officially the worst day of my life.

A/N: This story is inspired by true events that happened to an old friend of mine, but I don't want anyone to think I copied. The two stories are VERY different and I'm not stealing anything, seeing as this story is coming completely from my weird mind. Maybe toward the end I will tell you what happened to the woman I'm referring to.

Also, I live in New Orleans, and I chose this place because I didn't want to write about a place I knew nothing about. And Bourbon Street in this story is only slightly similar to the real Bourbon. Bella is there on a weekday, which is why there aren't as many people. She's also in the space between the "gay" part of Bourbon and the "straight" part, which is what people from round here call it (I think it's a bit mean, but that's just what they call it). From my experiences on Bourbon, there is a small part of the street in between the two that is always deserted.

Anyway, please review and tell me whether I should continue this or not. Thank you for reading.