Alice needs me
And the time that you were stranded
I was there before you landed
He was a no show, I made sure you got home
Music pulse through the room as Lauren, my current girlfriend, grinded against me. She had told me it was a date… well, I guess she was right. Alice was visiting her mother in France and Jasper (she was back with him) was flirting with three girls in the corner of the room. The whole house was filled with sweaty bodies. I know I should have been paying attention to the blonde in front of me, but I realized something.
Ali was coming home today. Her plane was landing soon. Her dad was out of town, Jasper was… busy… did she have a ride?
I pulled away, looking at the time. I could make it if I left now. Lauren turned around and pouted, her hand on my upper chest, but lowering continually. "Baby?"
Okay, had she been Alice, the pouting would have worked, but alas… she was not. Didn't even faze me. "I should pick up Alice. She doesn't have a ride home."
"Let her get a cab…" she insisted, pressing against me. I shook my head, pulling away a little.
"I couldn't do that to her."
Lauren pulled away, angered. Jeeze… "You always do that! 'Alice needs me' or 'I should go help her'. I'm your girlfriend!"
"I've only done that twice, and she's my best friend. I'm not going to be that friend that ditches all her other friends because I have a girlfriend." Dude, I was totally calm. Huh… wow.
"Listen up, missy! It's me, or her! Take your pick." She crossed her arms, smirking and confident that I would choose her. I didn't even have to think about my answer.
"Her." I gave my own smirk and left, grabbing my coat and jumping into my Jackhammer. It was a custom truck similar to the one from Mythbusters. A sweet ride with an even sweeter sound system. I gunned it, making it with thirty minutes to spare. I grinned, knowing I had just enough time to get her some welcome home gifts.
Twenty five minutes later I had twelve Primroses* in one hand and a stuffed puppy in the other. The arrival of her plane was announced and I watched the flow of people come out. After a few minutes my phone rang and I grinned at the picture of Ali.
"Hey, babe."
"Hey, Bell. I need a favor." Her voice sounded sad.
"What's that?" I asked, standing on a chair with the puppy on my head. I spotted her black, spikey hair instantly.
"Jasper isn't here and…"
Despite the mention of the jerk-face I grinned. "Yeah, but guess who is."
She "huh?"ed and looked around, spotting me on the chair. She giggled and we both hung up as she ran toward me. I jumped down and caught her as she hugged me fiercely.
"You're here!"
"Yep," I chuckled. She pulled away and I handed her the flowers. She sniffed them and smiled.
"These are for me?"
"Of course! Oh, he is, too," I grinned as I handed her the stuffed chocolate lab. She giggled and kissed my cheek.
"How did you know I would need a ride?"
I hesitated. I knew the truth would hurt her. "W-well… your dad is out of town and I figured if Jasper didn't come t-then you would have a ride," I lied, braking eye contact. I felt her small, soft hand on my cheek and looked at her.
"You had a date tonight…"
"Yeah… I'm single now. No biggy." I looked away again.
"Bella…" Dammit… that's the I-know-you're-lying-tell-the-truth voice.
"He was at the same party as me," I admitted. Her hand dropped and I looked at her face.
"He's cheating." A statement. I nodded, saddened by her sadness. "How many girls?"
"Three."
She let a tear escape before she pulled out her phone and send at quick message. "Bastard…" she whispered, putting it back in her pocket.
"You sent him a text?"
"Yeah. It's over between us. I feel bad for just sending that, but I don't care right now."
I wrapped an arm around her and picked up her bag. "That's all he deserves."
She clutched her puppy in her hand and leaned into my side. "Yeah." She sighed. "So… you're single again, huh?"
"Yep."
"Isn't that, like, the fourth girl in three months?"
I sighed. Damn, she was right. "Yeah, it is."
"Totally called it. Told you you would be a player in high school."
The memory of that day flashed through my mind and a blush spread over my cheeks and ears. "That you did."
Lightning flashed and she squeaked, which was the most adorable thing ever. I chuckled. "Alright, I'll go get the truck and you wait here, kay?"
She nodded and I bolted into the rain, searching for my car. I found it (all the way in the fucking back, damn my parking), drove it to the door, and parked. I jumped out and grabbed Ali's bag, placing it in the back and coming back for Alice. She giggled and ran a hand through my soaked hair, spiking it back.
"Sexy…" she smiled. I rolled my eyes and pulled off my coat, holding it over her as we ran. I opened her door and let her get in, closing it behind her. I tossed my coat in the back and jumped in the driver's seat, turning on the heat. Alice sighed in relief. I turned to her, starting the car.
"It was not pouring when I got here."
She laughed and sat back, relaxing in the seat. I pulled onto the interstate and smiled.
"If you want, you can stay at my place. I have some clothes you can wear."
She rolled her head to look at me and smiled sleepily. "That would be amazing. Charlie won't mind?"
"Naw."
"And John?"
"He loves you. All I have to do is walk in and say 'Ali's staying the night' and they'll order a pizza."
We laughed together and planned the movies we would watch that night.
