Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Of course! He said he sees me everyday at the station. Tomorrow I can find him. I'll leave early, or I'll tell my editor that I'll be in late and I'll find him at the station and apologize for my rude departure.

With that thought I felt much better, the guilt already easing up on me. I settled into my seat and tried, unsuccessfully, to ignore the butterflies that suddenly appeared in my stomach at the thought of seeing him again the next day.

XXXXXXXXXX

After and exhausting day of research and editing, made all the more tiresome by my insufferable co-workers, I made my way home, pleading with my worn-out feet to make it the last few yards to my building. My inner voice was cheering for me when I reached the front doors, but it was short-lived.

As I placed my foot on the first step I nearly met the pavement. I managed to keep myself upright with the help of the railing and went back to my internal applauding.

I'm choosing to ignore that little stumble right there. I mean, at least I didn't completely fall on my ass. That would definitely put a damper on the awesomeness that is me reaching this goddamn building. Stupid tiny steps with their pesky cracks and holes and unevenness trying to make me fall all the time. So rude.

Then again, maybe stumbling is not always so bad…if I could meet a guy like that every time my mind and feet turned against each other I would welcome my coordination, or apparent lack thereof, with open arms. But since I don't see that happening…

I smiled and continued cheering myself on as I completed my climb to the doors. After then successfully maneuvering my way across the lobby and into the elevator I took a moment to prepare myself for what was surely waiting for me in the apartment.

All day long I had been faced with a constant onslaught of questions and puzzling glances while my co-workers attempted to discern what had caused what was apparently a noticeable difference in my attitude.

Apparently I look unusually chipper. How peculiar. Although I suppose on a normal day my good mood passes for morbid disinterest so my giddy, giggly behavior from today probably has them all thinking of institutions to send me to. And I'm not sure I disagree entirely. After all, the normal reaction to meeting your kind-of stalker and then making plans to see him again is not uncontrollable smiling. But then again, normal people don't…

Ding!

The elevator signaled my arrival and the doors creaked open, allowing me to make the final trek to my home. I paused for a moment outside the door, again preparing myself mentally for the terrifying force waiting for me. If my dim-witted and barely coherent co-workers were observant enough to notice the change in my demeanor, than I could barely comprehend what was coming once Alice sees it.

Well then don't let her. I mean Alice may be understanding and all, but telling her the truth? And you know you will, you can't resist her pleading and pouting and her stupid tricky questions. So just don't think about it. Don't think about what outfit you're going to wear or getting up a little earlier to try to do your hair or about how his eyes sparkled and shone such a mesmerizing emerald…no, no, no. Think of something sad. Something depressing. War. Famine. Poverty. Homeless people living in train stations. Gorgeous strangers in train stations. Gorgeous strangers in train stations admitting that you're beautiful. Wait. How did I get back there? Dammit. Dead puppies and kitties and koala bears. Ok that works. Sad face is on. I'm ready.

I turned the key and opened the door, putting way too much energy in trying to appear as moody and indifferent as I usually am after my endless day at work.

"Honey I'm home!" I called into the empty living room, waiting for Alice's reply. I was not disappointed as seconds later a tiny little ball of energy came bouncing out of the kitchen with a wide smile on her face that grew impossibly wider as she spied my outfit, her gaze lingering appreciatively on my footwear.

She wrapped her arms around me for a second, appreciating that I don't care much for the physical displays of affection she is so fond of. She quickly released me and began speaking in her quick animated way.

"Bella! You're back! Thank god. I was so hungry and there was nothing to eat, we should really go grocery shopping soon, and of course by we I mean you since I'm not so good at that kind of shopping, but I decided to make dinner anyway and then the oven tried to eat me and the fridge and the counters were apparently conspiring against me as well and the kitchen is sort of…indisposed at the moment. So I was thinking, how does Chinese sound?"

I couldn't help but smile. Alice could always sense my mood ahead of time and went out of her way to make me smile. I knew perfectly well that she could navigate a kitchen when necessary, but she liked to make me think that she would starve without me and take-out. Seriously, the delivery guys in this neighborhood are probably my closest friends after Alice. That is so freaking sad. I really need to get out more. I know someone who could help with that. Although there is every chance that we wouldn't leave the house very often…whoa! Where did that thought come from? Seriously you need to get your mind out of the gutter and quit thinking about his toned arms and his flat stomach and his fantastic smell. I wonder what cologne he wears…

"Hold on. Wait just one second. What is that look? I am definitely detecting some sort of look on your face right now and I know it has nothing to do with my mini kitchen disaster." She paused to take in what was apparently a strange look on my face. "Whatcha thinking 'bout?" she smiled slyly and shuffled her feet, attempting to appear innocent while I stood by the door freaking out.

Crap. This is why I said no thinking about him in front of Alice. Quick make-up something before she suspects. Or at least before she suspects anything more. Oh wait! Remember what happened with Lauren today? That was totally under some sort of Alice-like influence and it will definitely distract her from any sort of "look" I had going on.

"Oh nothing. I just was a little tired at work today and my bad mood got away from me before I could stop it. On the plus side, I finally told Lauren exactly what I thought of her article…and what she thinks passes for an outfit." I smiled at the memory, thinking back to Lauren's obvious disbelief that quiet little me was telling her off. And, though I had no intention of telling Alice this, I slept fine last night. Something else must have inspired this moment of boldness and confidence and I think I might have an idea of what…or who. "Anyway I just thought you would appreciate it, since we all know how you feel about professional women who dress like streetwalkers."

"SQUEEEEEEEEE! OH MY GOD! Bella that is so awesome! Although if you were going to grow a pair I would have much rather it been when I was there so I could see the look on the trashy girl's face. But still, this is awesome! Celebratory Chinese it is!"

I slipped from the room while Alice was busy trying to order and shut the door to my bedroom. Finally. Alone. I quickly took inventory of the room and made sure everything was as I left it this morning. Noting that all was in order I quickly set about rifling through my closet, trying desperately to find an outfit that would be both professional enough for work and a little bit…sexy?

What? Why on earth do you want to be sexy for your stalker? Maybe a little nice so he has something slightly better to look at for once, but sexy. I mean the guy clearly has issues and you want to egg him on because…? Because I'm crazy. Obviously.

I sighed, depressed that once again the voice inside my head was right. I quickly chose a skirt and top without even really looking at them and changed into sweats and a t-shirt, knowing that lounging around at home was the only time Alice deemed it acceptable for such an ensemble. She has, however, endlessly tried to buy me designer sweats and shirts and I argued that there is no difference other than the price. I believe she then ranted about me being alone and unfashionable forever. And something about cats. Pfft. Whatever.

But then again, she always manages to look like she just walked off a runway. Maybe if I changed the circumstances a little and explained that maybe I wanted to look nicer to impress someone I could get her to help me…oh my god. What if she wants to come with me and meet him? How exactly does one go about introducing their best friend to their kind-of stalker? Wait a second. I couldn't introduce them. I don't even know his name.

At that thought I got lost. I ended up sitting in my closet for god knows how long trying to match names to his face. Everything seemed completely inadequate, too normal or boring for the god-like man I saw today. I must have been there for a while because I heard the doorbell ring, signaling the arrival of our dinner.

Swiftly wiping my face of anything resembling a "look", I got up and walked out to the living room where Alice had already spread out the generous amount of take-out boxes.

"Bella! There you are. I was starting to think you spilled water on the floor and tripped on the shower curtain and drowned in the toilet!"

"Hey!" I interrupted. "That was one time, okay, one time and I did not drown in the freaking toilet. My face simply decided to better acquaint itself with the toilet seat. And that damn shower curtain is a menace! A menace I tell you! I don't have enough fingers and toes to count the number of times that thing has tried to take me out. Oh but I'm smarter than it. We'll see who gets the last laugh shower curtain…" I trailed off thinking about how best to destroy the horrific device and wondering how much it would cost to get a sliding door installed.

"Alright we all understand. You have repeatedly been out-maneuvered by the shower curtain but it is not your fault and it doesn't mean that you're not smarter than the inanimate objects around you. Now can we eat or do you need to continue plotting?"

Whatever. Fucking shower curtain. You'll get yours.

"Yeah ok, food sounds good. I'm so hungry. I totally skipped breakfast this morning, I didn't get my coffee and I barely had time to grab an apple for lunch. What why are you looking at me like that? What did I do now?"

Halfway through my explanation she had dropped her fork and turned to me with her eyes wide and her expression disbelieving.

"Wow. So did you call someone else to bail you out or did you actually manage to spend a whole day surrounded by those idiots you work with without your coffee?"

She paused then and seemed to be thinking about something very intensely. Suddenly her whole face lit up in excitement, though she tried to hide it before turning to look up at me. Instead she fixed that ridiculous smile on her face and attempted her innocent act from before.

Oh no. I know what that look means. Crap I knew it was too good to be true. Of course she didn't forget the look. Seriously though, what is this look? I'm going to need to figure it out if I going to keep this up. But does that mean that this is going to keep happening. That I'm going to see him again. Well, duh isn't that why you've been smiling like a lunatic all day. You know you're going to see him again tomorrow. Maybe he'll smile at me again. Oh god what if I get to hear him laugh again? I can just see his eyes, so bright and sparkling with mirth while that rich voice chuckles ever so softly…

"Does it have anything to do with that silly little grin you had on your face when you walked in the door? How about the one you have on now? And don't even try to lie; we both know how horrible you are at it anyway. Like there's any chance you actually told off Lauren…honestly Bella, how long have be friends? You know I can see right through you…OH MY GOD!!!"

Well this can't be good.

"You met a guy! Oh my god Bella what is he like? Where did you meet him? Is he smart? Funny? Gorgeous? Why didn't you tell me? How long has this been going on? And why haven't you been dressing better? He's going to think I'm a horrible best friend for letting you go out looking like a hobo all the time! I can't believe you've been keeping this from me! When were you planning on telling me? After he proposed? Maybe on your way to the delivery room? Holy crow are you pregnant? Bella did that bastard knock you up and just leave? If he did I'll hunt him down and castrate him myself. Now what do you have to say missy?"

Wow. That was completely terrifying. I'm definitely feeling the fear here. Note to self: Never ever get on Alice's bad side. I suppose I have to say something. Sigh.

After hesitating for another second I realized that Alice wasn't giving up until I gave her something, so I resigned myself to telling her as much of the truth as I could without coming off looking insane.

"Alice, first of all, calm down. No one is pregnant. I met a guy, briefly, at the train station this morning. We just exchanged a few pleasantries while we waited for the train and that's it. Or I stuttered like a moron and openly ogled him while he admitted to stalking me. Basically the same thing. I haven't been secretly dating him or anyone else for that matter. I've only seen him once because we don't count all the times he's been creeping around watching me and I don't even know his name. That's all. And I don't dress like a fucking hobo Alice."

"Aw sweetie yeah you do. But seriously, you have only seen him once for a few minutes and he's got you cheerful enough to last the day without coffee? And with a smile on your face no less…interesting." She set her food down and tapped her finger against her chin, just in case I couldn't already tell that she was thinking.

"This is definitely odd. Very odd. He must be something special to have calmed the beast that is an uncaffeinated Bella. I mean she's smiling. She never smiles, not like that. And he managed to notice her despite her attempts at deflecting attention whenever possible. It helps that she didn't dress like a bag lady for once, but still…odd."

She seemed to be lost in her own world, thinking out loud while she tried puzzling out the mystery that was me and my stalker. I used the opportunity to slide the box of sweet and sour chicken to my side of the table and continued happily munching while thinking about seeing the gorgeous stranger again.

I think I'll try to get there early. I can hang around my stop for a while until he shows. Then I simply apologize for my rude departure this morning. Ooh and I should thank him for the purse thing again. Maybe I should write out what I want to say beforehand. But that seems a little intense and creepy. Then again, seriously. I will never let myself live down the 'I dropped my bag' thing. Yeah so maybe a little preparation wouldn't be so bad.

I frowned then, thinking back on how quickly I morphed from confident, articulate Bella to stuttering, awkward Bella.

I was pulled from my thoughts as Alice suggested a movie and I readily agreed, thinking about using the time to form some sort of apology in my head. I need to be prepared. This is good. I can say sorry, thank him, and we go our separate ways. But wait…

What if I can't find him? What if I scared him off and I never see him again? And why does that thought hurt so much more than it should?