A/N: Sorry! I've been gone for quite awhile, haven't I? I'm so sorry about that! I'm back, though! RL has been pretty bad, though. After my car accident, my back has been pretty bad. I've been doing exercises and. . . oh, you probably don't care. Let's just get on with the story.

I would like to mention, though, that I'm going to stray away from the original plot, but only a little bit. I've done a lot of thinking since last year, so I'm changing it up a bit. The only changes are that Bella and Edward will not get married. They're engaged (as you've already read) and they are at USC in college. No marriage, though. I needed Jacob and Bella to mesh together sooner, so I had to eliminate the wedding from the plot. As for the thing Bella "wishes would never happen", there's also going to be a slight change. I won't say what since you never knew what the original change was going to be in the first place.

Second, sorry, but there's no actual Jacob in this chapter. It's more of a "what's Bella been doing?" kind of chapter. Just a warning. Jacob will be showing up pretty soon, though! I'm excited! I wonder if you can guess. So, onto the story!

Until noted, the story will be in Bella's POV. Any other POVs will be made clear. Thanks!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its plot/characters. I only own Taylor Lautner... and any unrecognized characters or events in the following FF.


Chapter 2: Party Hard

(BPOV)

When I left my last class of the day and walked out of the science building, Edward was parked along the street. He sat in a sleek, red 458 Italia. Emmett, the oldest of the Cullen siblings, was fond of cars and had given this car to Edward as an engagement gift. He was big on giving cars as presents, even for small occasions. For my nineteenth birthday, he gave me a European car, a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. I had never even heard of the damn thing before. I can't even go out in public with the thing without everyone staring at me like Bill Fucking Gates wearing a Gummi Bear suit.

The Ferrari Edward sat in was supposed to be our "normal" car. What the hell was normal about it? It was still extremely expensive, especially for a freshman in college. Our friends at USC asked us that when they first saw the car.

Edward pulled up to our friend, Danny Carson's house. He was a freshman going to the Keck School of Medicine like me. Our schedules were very similar, so we began studying and hanging out together. Danny was having a small get-together and invited me and Edward.

It was at his fraternity, Sigma Nu. When Edward pulled up in the Ferrari, Danny stood there with a few of his friends and admired its body. I just rolled my eyes while Edward explained what extra pieces or parts were added to make it even faster or better. I wasn't sure. I'm not a car freak… not like him.

"How do you even pay for that thing? It's gotta cost a lot for insurance and the car itself is almost a quarter of a million dollars," one of Danny's friends, Vince said.

"It's not bad. It is costly, but my brother and I believe it's worth it," Edward simply replied.

"Do you work for the president or something?" Danny asked. "Seriously, that's a lot of money making for a college freshman."

"I don't have a job at the moment as I am still figuring out what I'd like to do for a profession."

"Um... okay. So, what's your name anyway? Bella doesn't talk too much about herself. She just mentioned a boyfriend," Noel, one of my new 'BFFs' said.

"Edward Cullen."

Everyone's jaws dropped when he said that. Of course, any mention of Edward being a Cullen causes that reaction. The Cullens are very rich, very well-known and very smart. Edward's father, Carlisle, is a doctor who makes millions each year. He's constantly traveling for his job. His wife, Esme, is an interior designer. She has designed numerous celebrities' and high-profile people's houses. Emmett is a model for Calvin Klein and Alice, Edward's adopted sister, is a fashion designer.

Alice and I are the same age, but she's much more successful. She's been in Teen Vogue, Italian Vogue... and a handful of other fashion magazines I don't care to read. We go out to lunch or have dinner together sometimes. We've been friends since high school, but she lives in New York, so I don't see her often. We call each other a lot.

Emmett models for Gucci, Armani and Calvin Klein. I know there's more, but again, I really don't care to know the names. He's also a big sports fan, football and baseball especially. He's like the brother I never had. He protects me and helps me out when I need it. He's tried to take me to football tournaments and baseball matches, but I have never understood what's going on.

Rosalie Hale is his girlfriend. She's an actress, but she could also be a model. She has beautiful, blonde locks of hair that fall at her waist. Her skin is pale and her eyes are a rich, gold color. Her smile can easily blind you and she always smells like warm vanilla or something sweet. When we first met, I wasn't sure if she liked me or not, but Emmett got her to be herself and she became one of my good friends. She and Alice take me out shopping all the time even though they know I dread it.

Jasper Hale is related to Rosalie. They're first cousins, but they're distant and don't speak of each other much. Rosalie invited the Cullens and I to a party where Alice met Jasper and they've been together ever since. That was three years ago. Now, Jasper is a student at the University of Pennsylvania studying medicine. He's the same age as Edward, Alice and I.

"You're Edward Cullen as in richest-family-in-the-world-Cullens? Bella is dating a Cullen?!"

"Yes, Danny. We get it. He's rich. Can we go inside now?" I asked impatiently.

"No way! I can't believe Bella is dating you!"

"Uh, excuse me? I'm right here, Danny."

"Yeah, yeah. So, you're the musician of the family?"

"I guess so. I write and compose for many people."

"That's so cool!"

It was all about Edward that night. Sometimes, I wished I wasn't dating Edward. I love him, but his celebrity family's status killed me sometimes. If I had another paparazzi shove their damn camera in my face again, I swear, I'll explode.

I got in the car and Edward kissed my cheek chastely, greeting me with his charming smile and emerald green eyes. "Hello, love. How was your class?"

"It was okay," I shrugged, not wanting to talk about school. "I'm just a little tired."

"Are you saying you're not going to come with me to a party tonight? Danny's fraternity is having a big party before everyone goes off for the holidays."

"You're asking me if I want to go to another one of Sigma Nu's parties? Edward, I don't like parties or Danny's friends."

"But, love, we'll only go for a little bit. I promise."

"Edward, I have a lot of studying to do. I have an exam in a few days. You can go to the party."

"Bella, live a little bit. I know I usually let you off the hook, but it's just one time. One party."

"What's the real reason you want to go to the party?" I asked.

"Bella, I'm just trying to get acquainted with your friends. Don't you want them to stop making such a big deal out of me? I know it's not fun for me to have to answer their badgering questions. If they get used to me being around and see that I'm a normal guy, they'll act like I'm one of them."

"Edward, you can never be one of them. You're too special."

"No, my love. That's you. I love you."

"I love you, too." I sighed. "I guess I'll go to the party with you."

"You will?"

"Yes."

"That's wonderful! I don't have to go alone anymore."

"Yeah, but you owe me, Edward."

"I know, Bella. This will ease your mind. You'll be able to relax more. I love you so much. You're my life and I can't live without you. I need you to live."

I looked at Edward with suspicion, an uneasy feeling crept into my chest. I knew he loved me and we said it often. People who are engaged do that a lot, right? This was different, though. Edward said it with sadness and… I don't even know.

"Edward, what's wrong?"

"Bella, I want to be honest with you about everything, okay? Trust me."

"I do, Edward. I love you more than anything. What's wrong?"

"It's nothing between you and me or family. Everything is alright."

"Okay... Edward, you said that the party will help me relax. What's going on? Just tell me."

"Before I came to pick you up today, I got a call from my mother."

"What did Esme say?" I asked, on the verge of punching him if he didn't spit the words out.

"Charlie was having dinner with my parents and he mentioned Jacob."

Suddenly, I was hyperventilating. I could tell something had happened to my Jacob.

"What happened?! Tell me!" I almost screamed at him.

"Jacob left his dad. No one knows where he is."

"What do you mean? He's missing, like, he ran away?"

"Yes, but Billy is hoping that Jacob will call the person he loves and trusts the most."

"Who?"

"You."

My mouth was agape, all ready to catch flies and whatever other bug would love to travel inside of Bella Land. I couldn't believe what Edward was telling me. He despised Jacob, hated him with a burning passion, so I couldn't understand why he'd tell me about this. He didn't want me to see Jacob or even talk to him. Apparently, Edward had heard Jacob was a bad boy. He partied and was into illegal street racing, but I knew that Jacob wasn't like that. Maybe the partying part was true, but he'd never do something illegal.

Tears left the corners of my eyes as I fell into Edward's open embrace. "Edward! Jacob is gone!"

"Shh, love. I'm sure he'll be fine. Why don't we just go to the party tonight and hope he calls you. He'll be okay, Bella. He knows how to take care of himself." Edward kissed my forehead in an attempt to call me down, though it didn't really work. "Come on, love."


"Bella, stop worrying. He's a old enough to take care of himself," Edward sighed as we walked up to the Sigma Nu house.

Music blared from speakers within the house. Red cups and beer bottles were laid out across the yard while only a few students were outside. My head was still reeling after the news about Jacob had come to my knowledge. I was still worried about him. Hours later and I couldn't think one sentence without it containing my Jacob's name.

"Still, Edward," I began saying, gnawing on my bottom lip, "he's my best friend―or was. It doesn't matter. The point is that I care about him."

"I know you do. I'm not saying you shouldn't. Just take a deep breath and have fun tonight. Don't stress over everything."

I nodded my head automatically and he squeezed my hand to reassure my everything was okay. In silence, we approached the fraternity and Edward let us into the frat house. Students were everywhere, dancing, playing beer pong, getting trashed. More red cups were thrown all over the floor and people were making out on couches. The vibrations from the bass of the music could be felt throughout the house as I made my way through the masses of people, clinging onto Edward's arm.

"Love, follow me. Let's go find Danny."

Once we entered the mess in the kitchen, we saw Danny and other people surrounding a keg. "Hey! Bella and Edward are here!" someone called out.

Danny and his friends all hooted loudly when Edward joined them. Like the drunk idiots they were, they tossed back a few shots before moving on to something else and got my boyfriend drunk within our first half an hour of being there. They all forgot about me when they got too engrossed in their drinking games, so I decided to wander around the house.

I became so bored, I locked myself in the bathroom for fifteen minutes. Sitting on the toilet with the lid down, I stared at the floor, counting how many squares were in the tile pattern. A knock on the door interrupted me and as soon as I opened the door, two girls flung themselves into the bathroom. Both of them were completely trashed and couldn't even walk straight, so I slammed the door shut and went back downstairs to find Edward.

"Guys, come on! Let's go to the basement! Beer pong time!" one guy, Marcus, yelled.

"We're gonna crush!" Edward slurred, throwing his arm over another boy, Zach's shoulders. "Zachary and I are the pong kings!"

"Fuck, yeah!" the built dark-haired boy roared, pumping his fist in the air. "People are already playing downstairs! Let's go check it out!"

Before anyone could move, I rushed up to Edward and rested my hand on his arm. "Edward, I—"

"Guys! I found my Isabella!" he announced for everyone to hear. "Where were you, love? We've been missing you, oh, so much!"

"Edward, you're drunk. I think you should stop for now," I warned him. I didn't like Edward when he was drunk. The jackass he becomes isn't the man I was engaged to. "Why don't you sit down?"

"I'm fine, Isabella! Don't worry your pretty little self! I'm all good!" he grinned as if he just won the lottery—not like he even needed to. "Vincent, man, come tell Isabella that everything is fine! We're all just having fun, right?"

The tall blonde sauntered over, only stumbling once. His green eyes flicked between Edward and I until he stood in front of us. "This is the best party of the year, man! Enjoy it, Bella!" Vince blurted out after tossing back his cup.

"She was going to stay home, but I convinced her to come have fun tonight," Edward beamed, his arm wrapped around my side like I was his prize. "Aren't you so glad you came with me, love? You're having fun, aren't you?"

Stepping away from him a bit, I shook my head. "Not really, Edward. I don't like parties. I already told you that, but you insisted I go."

"Because, we're all having fun! Stop worrying about your school so much! Live a little! Let's go play some pong!" Before I could respond, he and Vincent pulled me with the crowd and into the basement. "See! It's going to be great! Why don't you play, Bella?"

"No, Edward. I'm fine," I hissed, crossing my arms over my chest. "You go. I'll wait here."

After a short 'love you', he and Vincent ran off to join the rest of their friends and the crowd to watch beer pong. I stayed off in a corner, waiting for the party to be over when another body plopped itself down next to me.

"You okay?"

"I guess," I sighed with a shrug of my shoulders. "I just don't like—"

"You hate parties," Danny finished for me. Smiling, I nodded my head and leaned back against the wall. "I know you, Bella. And trust me, I wasn't much of a party person in high school, but in college, I learned that life can't always be about getting the good grades and being the perfect student. I'm not saying you should start failing, but you could try to loosen up. You're a natural student, so I'm sure that a party or something fun once in awhile won't even bring you down a bit."

"I know, Danny, but it really isn't me. I just don't like the drinking, the dancing and the people. I like sitting at home and reading a book or watching a movie." Taking a glance at the crowd of people, I puffed out a breath before turning back to my friend. "Edward used to be like that. He's go to parties occasionally, but now? It's too much for me. I don't like this anymore. I never did."

"Well, speak up for yourself. Tell him that."

"I tell him I don't like parties a lot," I say before adding, "All the time, really. He used to listen to me, but now, he's off in his own world. I don't like living in luxury—and I certainly don't like a grown man shoving a camera in my face. Edward just doesn't know that anymore. He's so different now and we're on different pages sometimes."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know. I don't like to talk about it." I bit my lip as I played with the hem of my shirt, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

"No, no. Bella, I know you don't like to speak up or even speak for that matter, but it's just me. I want to be a friend you can trust. Be open with me and I'll help you out. No one else is here and I'm not going to go to Edward about this. It should be as easy as breathing," Danny smiled, nudging me gently with his elbow.

Someone else said that to me once. He said what we had was easy as breathing. He was my best friend and I threw it all away for this, going to parties where my boyfriend—er, fiancé—got drunk, and for tabloids who would throw pictures of us on every magazine cover.

"If he isn't listening to you," Danny said, "maybe you should rethink your relationship. I know you love him, but maybe that love has changed."

"Okay. Thanks, Danny."

"For what?"

"For helping me. I know I don't usually… share my feelings, but thanks. I just…" My words died off as I spoke them, realising I was stuttering and sounded stupid.

With a knowing grin, he patted my leg. "I know. I'm here for you anytime. Don't worry, Bella."


A/N: I'm sorry! I know that was pretty short, but it was sort of a filler. I had some other stuff, but decided to throw it into the next chapter.

Tell me what you think! Do you like Danny? I love him! No, he's not a Jacob replacement, but he's there to. . . ugh. Sorry, if I tell you what he's there for, it will spoil everything! But, he's here to help Bella! That's your clue. He's got gorgeous eyes and dark hair. I haven't decided what he really looks like yet. Any suggestions? I asked my niece who she thought looked like a Danny and my niece, being the sweet little girl she is, suggested Zac Efron or Justin Bieber. Definitely no to Bieber, but Zac is a possibility. I was thinking badass, Ian Somerhalder, but thought Danny might be too nice. His character will evolve, though, so we'll see.

What do you think about Edward so far? About his relationship with Bella?

As for Bella, she's only slight OOC. I want to convey her shy, socially awkward self, but also let her break out of her little bubble. So, we'll see how that goes, too.

Quick thanks to MusicTwilightLove. If it weren't for her review, I probably wouldn't have gotten to put this up today.

COMING SOON: JACOB BLACK! REVIEW and he'll be here sooner!