Chapter 1

The One Where Bella Falls

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"I'm serious, Bells," Rosalie says, raising her perfectly arched brow along with her Martini. "How many bad things have you actually done?"

"Well..." I begin, racking my brain for something even remotely dangerous. "There was that time when I stole that belt from Essence?"

"That doesn't count."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm the one who stuffed it in your purse!" Rose laughs. "You didn't even know it was in there until we left the store!"

I shrug, smiling. "Still, that's pretty bad ass, right? I mean, what's the worst thing you've done?"

She raises her eyebrows again, looking over her shoulder. "God, Bella, you don't even want to know."

"You'll never know unless you tell me," I challenge, squinting at her.

Rosalie turned back to me with glowing, devious blue eyes. She points to an older Vin Diesel-bald guy with tattoos and a rough face. "It was somewhere along the lines of that guy."

"I... don't understand," I confess, looking away from tattoo guy. Rosalie could get any man she wanted. "Why him?"

"Why not?" She shrugs demurely, then leaned towards me with a secret smile. "I'll tell you this much... it was exciting."

"But he's so much older... and looks like he's been through the rings."

"And the sex was mind-blowing," she sighs.

Amazed at her sexual discoveries, I shudder one more time. "Well, I could never-"

"That's my point exactly," her eyes travel up and down me, smiling. Then she meets my eyes with a sarcastic roll. "You're so innocent. It turns people off."

I cough on my drink, laughing unexpectedly with discomfort. "What does that got to do with anything?"

She shakes her head slightly. "All I know is, we've been sitting in this bar for over an hour and I've gotten 3 drinks from semi-attractive men, while you've gotten one. And I'm pretty sure it's just because he felt sorry for you."

Looking down at my napkin, I feel crimson rush to my cheeks. "Your point?"

"Maybe you should spruce up your image a bit. Those stockings aren't doing anything for your legs, and that lumpy brown dress is such an eye sore-"

"Who cares?" I say defensively, reminding myself of a stubborn child. "Not everyone's sole mission each morning is to attract the opposite sex."

"Well, it should be," she tosses back. But after a moment she becomes quiet, studying me. "You wanna leave?"

Relieved, I sigh, "Yes, please."

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The next morning, I can't get Rosalie's words out of my head. Maybe I am dressing a little too... dull. Maybe I should show off my body a little. Not so much to land a date, but more to embrace my sexuality. Rosalie seems to have embraced hers and she couldn't be happier.

So instead of throwing on my usual brown attire, I slip into a deep blue shift dress. And rather than donning loafers, I wear practical black kitten heels that belong to Rose. Black tights and a trench coat "complete the look", as she put it. Then she proceeds to help me with my makeup. I never really got the hang of fashion or makeup, something Rose dealt with well. As she smiled at me, combing her fingers through my hair, I couldn't help thinking how great it was to have a room mate.

Rosalie told me we were going to the bar that night, to show off my new look. I rolled my eyes at her announcement, but part of me also felt excited. Who knows, maybe I would meet someone.

On my way to work, I take the subway then walk across 56th to get my morning coffee. As I'm crossing the street, my ankle wobbles a little in the tiny heels. I manage to catch my balance only to lose it again while skipping across a drainpipe. I probably would have landed on my ass, until someone's hands caught me.

The hands are big and sturdy closing around my elbow and gripping my waist. I was nearly about to swoon until I realize I fell into him. I tripped onto the guy while he was probably on his way to an early meeting. I blush as I see the look of annoyance on the handsome man's face.

"Agh, watch out!"

"I'm sorry," I blurt, meeting stern green eyes. "I-I didn't watch where I was going. I'm so, so sorry."

He lets me go slowly, watching my face in a way that makes my heart flutter. I convince myself it's only to make sure I have my bearings. He can't be interested.

"Are you hurt?" He asks in a deep, throaty voice that does things to me.

I shake my head while trying to form a coherent thought. "Of course not," I say. "It's just these stupid heels!" I blush as his eyes travel down my body, even more so because I caused it—and, really, the heels weren't that high the begin with! "I'll just-just be on my way now."

"Wait," he calls, searching my face with careful eyes.

I turn back to him, nearly colliding with a woman in a power suit. "Yes?"

"My name is Edward Cullen." He waits, probably to see if I'd recognize his name.

I don't. "Pleased to meet you, Edward," I say, trying not to linger on his name. "I'm Bella." I stop, then remember it's rude not to give a last name. "Swan. Uhm, Bella Swan."

"Pleased to meet you, Bella," he smiles, then tips his head towards a black town car. "Would you care for a lift?"

"No." I say, too quickly. Then add a soft smile. "I can manage. Honestly, walking is way easier than I make it look. Thanks, though."

That was when I decided to further embarrass myself by doing a curtsey of all things. I try to make a hasty retreat after that.

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Rosalie was waiting when I got off work. She decides I need to put more makeup on, as if I needed anymore goop on my face. I comply though, acting like the younger sister she never had.

We skip hand and hand across the damp streets, heading to Rosalie's favorite bar. "Trust me; we are going to find you your very own little slice of badness."

I gawk at her. "I don't want bad, Rose. I just want... something." I finish, unsure of my thought. I remember the man from earlier. Edward Cullen. Would I ever forget that name? Truth was, I didn't know what I wanted. But I sure as hell didn't want her to tell me.

So, of course the next words out of her mouth are, "I'll tell you what you want. You want a guy to take you home tonight and make you forget about your dull, ordinary life, right?"

I shrug. "Maybe. I don't know. Do any of us ever know what we truly want?"

"Yes, we do," she smiles devilishly. We arrive at the bar; she held the door open for me, giving me a little wink. "The beginning of your life starts now."

I couldn't help thinking, maybe she was right.

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A/N Thanks for reading! Please continue reading, also leave a short review and follow if this story seems promising. :)