AN: Hey guys! Thanks for the reviews and adding the story to your alerts! That makes me feel great! Im glad y'all liked it. (wow, I just sounded like a hick.) haha. Anyway! Thank you to my amazing Beta Hallee87! You're the best! Especially when its 2 a.m. and I cant sleep. Hope you got all your homework done! Haha! Anyway. Heres chapter 2! Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: sadly, All themes from Twilight and its characters are the property of Stephenie meyer. I just enjoy playing with them. Haha.

Chapter 2: The lights will inspire you, Lets hear it for New York

The flight from Seattle to LaGuardia was all in all, uneventful. I continued my tear fest until my tear ducts literally couldn't produce any more tears, at which point I just drifted off to sleep on Jasper's shoulder and stayed that way until we landed in Chicago for a layover. The flight would be 7 hours and 15 minutes at least. I had never seen Chicago before but our layover was for 55 minutes, which was perfect for grabbing a bite to eat in the airport.

On the flight from Chicago to LaGuardia, I fell asleep again on Jasper's shoulder. When we got off the plane in LaGuardia and started heading towards the gate, I saw Emmett and Rosalie waiting for the three of us. Em let go of Rose's hand and picked me up, twirling me around in a big bear hug while Jasper gave his sister a kiss on the cheek and a hug. Jake just stood there looking awkward and uncomfortable. I made a mental note to have a conversation with him within the next few days and let him know that he needed to find his own place as soon as possible.

"You guys all set?" Emmett asked after fist-bumping Jazz and glaring at Jake. If anyone hated that kid more than me, it was my twin.

"Yeah, lets get our bags and head out. I'm so excited to see the apartment!" I said bouncing towards the baggage claim. I hadn't even seen pictures of the place yet, Emmett kept insisting to keep it a surprise. The three of us grabbed our luggage and followed the happy couple to Emmett's jeep. Once all of the bags were loaded in the trunk, we all piled into the car. Rose sat in front with Emmett, leaving me to sit in the back with Jasper and Jake. The boys ended up taking the window seats, leaving me in the middle, squished. Luckily it was only a 20-minute trip to our apartment.

Our very, very large apartment: our 4-bedroom apartment on Roosevelt Island was absolutely amazing. It had beautiful hardwood floors through out the entire place. There were two bathrooms, one upstairs that would be shared by Rose, Emmett, and Jasper while the second was downstairs that I had to share with Jake. Oh, Joy! Just what I wanted, my ex walking in on me in the shower I thought. I definitely needed to have that conversation with him soon.

I put my bags in my room with the boxes that I had sent about a week ago and headed to my second favorite room in the apartment. The kitchen! It was stunning. Wooden cabinets, marble countertops, a glass top stove, it was truly impressive for an apartment. Then again, we were in New York.

Holy shit! I'm in New York!

It finally hit me and in that moment, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. I jumped around the kitchen squealing like I was five. That is, until I heard someone clearing their throat behind me.

I jumped, surprised that I didn't hear anyone come in. I spun around too fast and tumbled over, catching myself on the counter. Major head rush… I looked up and saw the source of the noise. It was Jasper.

"Bells, I know your soaking up the amazing kitchen but could you come into the living room for a sec? I need to tell you guys something," he said, trying to bite back the smirk I could see playing on his lips.

"Um…yeah. Sure. I'm coming" I said blushing slightly. I could tell he was trying not to make fun of me.

"Just don't move too fast. You don't want another head rush," he said chuckling slightly.

Stupid best friend. I sent a glare his way and followed him into the living room, sitting next to Rose on the couch.

"So what's up man? Me and Rosie here were about to break in our new mattress before you interrupted," Emmett said, wiggling his eyebrows. Always the cheesy one, I made a gagging noise.

"Too much info, brother bear," I said, using the nickname I had given him our freshman year of high school. He smirked and stuck his tongue out at me. He can be such a child sometimes.

"Anyway," Jazz said getting our attention, "I hope you guys like the place. I know I do. But mom and dad told me to mention to keep it in good shape. They decided to buy it for us and if we do anything to destroy it, we owe them about 5000 bucks a month. They said if we keep it in good shape after we graduate then we can keep it. So…don't screw it up, because I don't have 5 grand."

Jasper started chuckling. Although the look on his face told me he was serious.

"Jazz, Rose, are you sure your parents are okay with this?" I asked, guilt settling in. It was no secret that the Hales were, well, loaded but I felt like I was taking advantage of it. I mean, we were living in this amazing apartment that they bought and we were doing it rent-free.

"Bella, if they weren't we would be living in dorms at our own separate schools. They want us to stay together and experience the city together, or so mom says. Besides, they both love all of you…" Rose said, and then was interrupted by Emmett clearing his throat.

I followed his pointed glance toward Jake who was completely oblivious to the whole conversation. I giggled lightly, knowing Rose didn't include him in that statement, which made me feel good. It was nice to have a part of my life that Jake didn't have his filthy paws in.

"Just please let your mom and dad know how much I love them for this," I said with a smile.

Rose nodded and Jazz smiled his toothy smile.

"Well, if that's it, Rosie and I are going to go finish what you so rudely interrupted," Emmett said as he grabbed Rosalie's hand and ran upstairs.

I rolled my eyes as Jasper shuddered.

"I think I'm going to stay downstairs for a little while," Jasper said awkwardly.

Jake, finally paying attention, laughed his normal belly laugh. I was quickly getting annoyed so I stood up and walked to my room to begin unpacking.

Once I finally walked into my new room, I finally took the time to really look at it. It was small but about the size a dorm room would have been. But at least I'm not sharing it with some stranger. My bed was already made, thanks to Rosalie if I had to guess. I saw my bright yellow sheets and matching pillowcases, as well as my blue down comforter with a large yellow flower. Renee did a pretty good job 'contributing' to my move. I loved the colors! As I looked around, I saw a small computer desk with a tiny bookshelf off to the side. There was just enough room for my tiny laptop and about half my books. I walked over to my closet and looked up on the shelf at the top.

Now that's what im talking about.

There was plenty of space for the rest of my books. Now I wouldn't have to flirt my way into some space on Jake's desk.

Jake. That was a conversation I really needed to have soon. I didn't want him anywhere close to my near independence. If anything could ruin New York for me, it would be him. I didn't want him being overly possessive of something that wasn't his to begin with. I didn't want him following me around like a lost puppy. I definitely didn't want those memories of us following me everywhere either. While I'm glad were not together any more, what we had was special and what he did to me hurt like nothing I've ever been through before. I loved him but I didn't need that reminder at every turn.

I put all of my clothes up in my closet and lined my shoes neatly along the floor of the closet before opening up the first box.

In there I saw my pictures. One of me and Renee, one of me and my friend Angela, one of me and Charlie, one of me and Emmett, where I was on his back like a monkey and we were laughing, camera completely forgotten. And finally, in the largest frame, was a picture of the whole group. Emmett and I, standing side by side with my arms around his huge torso, Jazz and Rose sitting back to back, Angela leaning against my shoulder and Ben, her boyfriend, had his arms around her shoulders standing behind her. I loved this picture, because it had the best friends anyone could ask for, and as soon as Angela and Ben got there apartment situation settled, we would all be enjoying New York. Together.

I looked at the bottom of the box and saw my iHome and instantly knew what I wanted to do. I plugged it in on my bedside table and grabbed my iPod from the carry on and plugged it into the iHome. I already had it set to play the one song I knew I needed for this time. I turned it all the way up and opened my door before pressing play. I began dancing and was pleased when all of my roommates caught on and came rushing into my room. It was then that I could feel the energy and excitement that the city that never sleeps had to offer. As the song was winding down, Rose and I sang the last Alicia Keys part of the song, belting it at the top of our lungs.

"One hand in the air for the big city,

Street lights, big dreams all looking pretty.

No place in the world that can compare

Put your lighters in the air, say yeeeaahhhhh.

Come on, come on

Yeah

In New York

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of

There's nothing you can't do

Now your in New York

These street lights make you feel brand new

These lights will inspire you

Lets hear it for New York, New York, New York!"

We all collapsed to the ground, laughing our asses off and trying to catch our breath. But one part of the song stuck out to me the most. These streetlights will make you feel brand new. The lights will INSPIRE you. God I hoped that was true. I'm going to need all the inspiration I can get.

Thanks for reading guys! I hope you liked it! Who else is ready for "the Jacob talk"? I know me and my Beta are! Haha. Well, I guess you'll just have to wait until chapter 3, wont ya! Haha!

And just so ya know, Reviews are better than dancing around in your apartment in New York with your best friends. So you should totally leave me someJ