Disclaimer: Nope nothing had changed so I still don't own anything.

Chapter 2

Yawning, I closed the door of the bathroom. Slowly I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I swear, I only blinked last night and then it was morning. No way did I sleep five hours last night. As I yawned again, I opened the warm water and closed the shower door. By the time I had removed my over sized T-shirt and panties, dropping the latter into the laundry basket, the water was just turning lukewarm. I got into the shower quickly, adjusting the taps until the water was to my liking. I sighed in content, as my brain was slowly coaxed into the land of the living.

Methodically, I went through my morning routine. I had just washed the shampoo from my hair when the bathroom door opened. Instinctively I screamed, covering my naked bits as best I could with my arms and hands. The steam had fogged up the glass panels of the shower and I prayed that whoever came to kill me, would just chop my head off already.

"Would you shut the fuck up?" I froze, my scream dieing away.

My heart was pounding in my ears, I was breathing heavily and my slightly heightened state, by shot of adrenaline, registered the fact that that was a girl's voice. I swiped my hand across the glass plane clearing the view and stared at Alice. "What the fuck are you doing in here?"

She looked half-asleep and was rubbing her eyes. "That is exactly what I wanted to know. Why are you in my shower?"

"Your shower?" I forced myself to take a breath. "May I remind you, that you are a guest and since there is only one bathroom in this house, we will all have to share."

"What? Only one bathroom?" She shuddered. "No, no absolutely not. I refuse to share a bathroom, that's totally unhygienic."

I forgot all about my delicate state as my temper got the better of me. I pointed at her accusingly. "You insolent, spoiled little brat. How dare you insinuate that Charlie and I have some…" Her gaze slipped from my face and down my chest. I covered myself again. "Out, get the fuck out!" She took a hesitant step towards the door. "Now!" She left quickly slamming the door behind her.

I was practically seething. Bits of foam flew in every direction as I washed myself. She doesn't even have etiquette to knock first. I turned the water off and stepped out of the shower. "Acting like she is the queen of Sheba." I grabbed a towel drying myself roughly. "Never in my life…she's worse than a fucking child." I wrapped the towel around me and grabbed my discarded clothes from the floor. "That is totally unhygienic." I mimicked her as I opened the door and walked to my room.

I closed my door, locking it for good measure. Privacy obviously wasn't big where she came from. I dropped my shirt on my bed and walked over to my Ipod docking station. I pressed play. 'Ke$ha's Tic Tock' blared through my speakers. "Tell you what Kesha," I murmured. "I could really use a bottle of Jack right now."

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

"Just to let you know, I'm leaving in fifteen minutes." I shouted up the stairs. "And I don't mind leaving your pampered ass behind." I added for good measure before walking to the kitchen. Grabbing the box of Count Chocula from the cupboard, I poured some into a bowl before adding milk. Keeping a weary eye on the clock, I leaned against the counter and placed a spoonful of chocolate goodness in my mouth.

"Are you decent?" Alice asked from the doorway.

"No, I eat my cereal naked." I sarcastically replied.

"Well, it would give a whole new meaning to The Naked Chef." I smiled involuntarily. There might be some hope for her just yet. "Where is my breakfast?" And all hope was gone.

"Bowls are in the cupboard." I pointed to my right. "Cereal and milk is right here." I gestured to the counter next to me. "Help yourself."

She looked from me to the box on the counter and then her eyes turned back to me. "What is that?"

"Count Chocula." She just stared at me blankly. "How do you not know what Count Chocula is?"

She straightened her back and I swore her nose lifted several inches into the air. "A private Chef made my breakfast. Eggs benedict, waffles, pancakes, homemade yogurt with fresh fruit salad, anything I wanted."

I rolled my eyes, not impressed at all. "Of course you had a private chef. Well, either go hungry or eat cereal like us mere mortals do everyday."

"I won't eat that." She deadpanned.

I shrugged. "Whatever." I carried my now empty bowl to the sink and rinsed it out before placing it in the dishwasher. "Just remember Princess, don't cut your nose to spite your face." I walked passed her, ignoring the look she gave me. "I'm leaving in five minutes so get your spoiled ass in gear."

"Where is…uhm…" Her brow creased as she thought. "Where is your father?"

"You mean Charlie?" She nodded her head. "He left for work already. You can be glad though, I literally screamed murder this morning. He might have shot you."

"Are you always this overdramatic?" I shrugged. "Look…uhm…" She frowned again. "I'm sorry I don't even know your name."

"Is that a regular thing for you?" I folded my arms across my chest. "Seeing people naked before finding out their names?"

"No, usually I just have my butler escort them out."

"Of course you do. Now if you'll excuse me your highness, I still have some things to do." I turned on my heel and walked out of the kitchen, heeded upstairs and straight to the bathroom.

The only evidence of her presence was a beige fluffy towel (that had to set her back a few hundred dollars, at least) and a bright pink toothbrush. Shaking my head at the atrocious color, I squeezed some toothpaste onto my blue toothbrush. I heard Alice come up the stairs and a few seconds later she walked passed the bathroom, her head held high. Whatever was up her butt was stuck sideways.

When I was done, I grabbed my schoolbag from my room and proceeded downstairs. "Are you coming or what?" I shouted impatiently. She appeared at the top of the stairs. Suppressing a sigh, I opened the door. There was a loud gasp behind me. I looked over my shoulder more irritated than ever. She was standing a few feet behind me. "What is it now?"

"I can't go out in that, dressed like this?"

I looked at her clothes, a white blouse, skinny jeans, converse shoes and a long black coat. I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. I was getting more impatient by the minute. "What is wrong with your clothes?"

"It's autumn wear, not winter wear."

"Princess, it is autumn."

"Then why is it raining?"

I ran my hand through my hair. Fuck, I could strangle her. "Because it is Forks, the wettest place in the continental US."

"Well, I clearly didn't get the memo okay." She looked me up and down. "Just like you decided to take a sick day when fashion sense was handed out. That clothes you're wearing, is so last decade."

Oh, hell no. Now she was criticizing me clothes? "Look Princess, I'm leaving. Either you get in that truck or you can find your own ride to school."

She looked at the drizzling rain. "Ten minutes okay, that is all I'm asking for."

Lord, give me strength or I might kill her. "You've got five."

She took twenty. Twenty Goddamn minutes to put on boots and some long-sleeved shirt, that made the same outfit magically transform into winter wear. I swore under my breath as I marched to my truck. "You're driving me to school in that? That thing belongs in a museum."

I turned around so abruptly, she almost walked into me. "Look, you're getting a lift to school. I am not your driver and I am not driving you anywhere. We cannot all have Porches. Now get in the fucking truck." She paled slightly and walked around me. Without saying a word, she got into the truck. Instinctively I felt bad for screaming at her.

I groaned in frustration as I ran my hands through my hair. "This is going to be a long day." I mumbled to myself as I walked around the truck and got in. I placed my bag next to Alice's in the middle of the seat before turning the key. Alice jumped in surprise as the truck started with a roar. Smiling I shifted into first and drove to school.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

I parked the truck at the very back of the lot. Even for a school this small all the best spots were taken. Nobody likes running through the rain. "The admin building is there." I pointed to a small building to our left. "I'm sure you'll get further instructions from Mrs. Brook." She grabbed her bag and got out of the truck without a word. The fear of running late forced the fact that her silent treatment was working, from my mind. I grabbed my bag and jogged through the rain to the school entrance.

Emmett was casually leaning against my locker, eating a donut. "Those things will clog up your arteries man." I said slightly out of breath.

"I'll take the risk. Do you want a bite?" He held out a half-eaten donut in my direction.

"No thanks. I already ate." He shrugged stuffing the rest of the donut into his mouth. Gross.

I unlocked my locker and grabbed some books, jamming them into my bag. "Running a wee bit late, aren't we. Did you oversleep again?" He asked before licking some chocolate from the corner of his mouth.

"No, Queen Alice had a fashion crisis."

He frowned. "Who's Alice?"

"My live-in nightmare. You might have heard of her, Alice Brandon." We made our way to class. Students literally parted like the red sea. When you are walking with Emmett, his humongous size compels the students to get out of the way by instinct.

"Oh yeah…" He nodded his head and then began shaking it. "Nope, never heard of her. Is she famous or something?" He asked and I smiled at his dorkiness.

"Or something is about right. Gotta go man. See you at lunch." I headed into class.

"Wait, she is a person right? Like a real human being? That actually exists? Who is living with you? In your house?"

I turned back. "Yes."

"Yes to what?"

"All the above."

He stared at me and then he smiled. "Okay then. See you at lunch." He walked off and I smiled as I headed to my desk. My mood was loads better already. This day was finally turning around.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

My good mood did not last long. As with all small schools the news that Alice Brandon was attending her final year at Forks High spread faster than an STD. Students whispered and discussed this little tidbit of information every chance they got.

"Did you see her clothes?"

"Her spiky hair looks so cute. Do you think that look will work for me?"

"She smiled at me, an actual smile."

"She threw away this Kleenex, I'm keeping it forever?"

"Do you think she has a boyfriend?"

It went on and on and it was only the first half of the school day. Luckily, so far we didn't share any classes together. I have caught glimpses of her in the hallways in between classes. Students always surrounded her. Girls hanging on every word she said, boys trailing after her like lovesick puppies. I think one even carried her bag for her. It wouldn't surprise me if it was Mike Newton.

I ignored Alice and her groupies in the cafeteria as I got my food. I paid for my sandwich, juice and chocolate pudding before joining my friends. I barely sat down before Angela bombarded me with a ton of questions.

"Is it true that she is living with you? What is she like? Why is she living with you? Does she really have a Porsche? Why is she living with you? Are you like her best friend now? Why is she living with you?" I gave Emmett a look. He just shrugged smiling innocently at me.

"Wow Angela, obsess much?" Eric asked voicing the exact thought that ran through my head.

"Oh bite me, Eric."

"Sorry but I don't eat garbage." Angela threw a grape at him, which he caught smoothly and popped into his mouth. "Ah, delicious." He said smacking his lips.

"Tell us everything." Emmett said focusing all the attention back on me.

I took a swig of my juice and did as he asked. I told them how Alice came to be in my life. How her diva behavior was giving me a headache and how I had no idea how I was supposed to get through a whole year with her living in my house.

"It can't possibly be that bad." Angela said as we watched how Jessica brought Alice a salad. Alice just took the plate and continued talking to some blond girl, completely ignoring Jessica.

"Well, you're used to selfish, childish little people. You have twin, four-year-old brothers." Eric teased her, giving a laughing Emmett a high-five.

"Actually, Eric…that would be your department in my life?"

Eric nudged me, "You hear that Bella. I'm a part of her life."

I chuckled. "Not by choice, I'm sure." Angela winked at me. "To answer your question Angela, so far all I can say is that she is a major fucking pain in my posterior. Charlie however thinks that she's going through a phase."

"Did Charlie mention why he owned Alice's dad this favor?" Emmett asked as he threw his empty water bottle towards the bin. He missed by a mile, hitting a junior by accident. He ducked under the table as the junior looked around trying to find the culprit.

I couldn't help but laugh, so I did. Once Emmett resurfaced, I answered his question. "No, but I'm leaning towards a murder cover-up. Charlie is a goof, accidents are bound to happen."

"And he doesn't have a problem with the two of you living in the same house." Angela asked. "I mean, he does know that you prefer the ladies."

I rolled my eyes. "Just because I'm into girls doesn't mean that I'll jump into the pants of every girl that crosses my path. Plus, she is not my type."

"I don't know Bella." Eric said checking Alice out as she left the cafeteria. Some student was carrying her long black jacket, leaving her ass in full display. "If I was a girl, I'll be more than willing to switch teams for her." He turned back to me. "Maybe if you gave her a chance, you might like her."

"I won't count on it." I said but my eyes didn't leave her ass until she walked out the door and disappeared from sight.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

As it turned out, my luck had run out by last period. History was my favorite subject and that fact in itself explained why fate screwed me over. Alice strolled through the door and handed our teacher, Mr. Hewitt, a form.

He read it and then looked at her. "Well Alice, do you know of any mentionable Alice's in History?"

The whole class was silent as she thought. Then she nodded, "Only one. Alice Perrers. She was a 14th-century royal mistress who had a relationship with King Edward III of England."

He nodded. "Ah yes, she was also called "The lady of the sun". You Alice may sit next to Bella Swan at the back. You will do fine together. She is a history buff as well."

"I'm not a history buff." Alice and I said at the exact same time. Our eyes met and she looked away quickly. I was all too aware of the curious stares the students were giving us.

Mr. Hewitt smiled. "Yes, a fine pairing indeed."

Why did he have to place her next to me? Mike Newton was more than eager to have her sit next to him. He was literally trying to glare me to death. Mr. Hewitt seriously lost some cool points. Alice slid into the desk next to me, taking out a notebook and ignoring me completely. She focused her attention on Mr. Hewitt.

"Who can tell me what is important about the date April 14 1912?" There was silence in the class.

"Anybody?" Seriously, all of them watched the movie. How hard is it to remember the date?

Mr. Hewitt sighed. "Bella?"

"It's the night that the Titanic struck the iceberg, Sir."

"Correct." He wrote the date on the board, followed by the RMS Titanic.

"OMG. My birthday is, like, the 14th of April. I will totally remember the date the Titanic sank, that is like super awesome." Cindy clapped her hands together excitedly. Somewhere an English teacher was committing suicide for her poor use of the English language.

"Actually Cindy, the Titanic sank on the 15th of April, it only struck the iceberg on the 14th." Alice said softly from beside me.

"Indeed it did Alice and Cindy," Mr. Hewitt looked at the hyper blond, no smile on his usual friendly face. "The 1517 people who died that night will disagree with you. It most definitely was not super awesome."

I smiled at the way Cindy deflated. Only she would know why she took History in the first place. It was a wonder she could remember the time of day, not to mention important history facts.

"So Isabella, you like history. Who would have thought?" Alice whispered.

"You know my name. Been asking around about me, have you?" I wrote down a note from the board, from my peripherals I could see Alice staring at me.

"Maybe I have." I looked at her, ignoring the 'what are you going to do about it' look she was giving me. She sighed. "Look, I'm sorry for walking in on you this morning. I should have knocked."

"Yes, you should have." I retorted and she mumbled something I couldn't quite decipher. We didn't talk to each other for the rest of the class. Was I being to harsh? She did try to apologize. Wasn't I the one acting like a bitch now?

I was still arguing with myself when the bell rang. Cindy bounded down the isle towards us and stopped next to Alice's desk. "Are you ready to go?"

"Uh…" She looked at me. "I'm going over to Cindy's place with some friends. I'm allowed to go out right?"

I shoved my books in my bags. "Just be home before seven."

"Is that like a curfew?"

I raised my eyebrow at her attitude. "Exactly like a curfew." Cindy and Alice looked at each other and then laughed.

"Well I don't do curfews. So don't stay up for me, okay?" She linked her arm with Cindy's and together they walked out of class.

"Hey Alice, wait up. I'll carry your bag for you." Mike shouted and hurried after them.

Yeah, I definitely wasn't too hard on her. I grabbed my bag and made my way out of class.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

She got home at exactly eight thirty. Charlie and I was eating dinner, watching a football game when she slammed the door behind her. "Uh Alice, may I have a word." Charlie called as she walked passed the living room door.

She mumbled something in the hallway. Something heavy dropped in the hallway, probably her schoolbag. She dragged her feet, as she entered the room. "Certainly, Charlie. How can I help you?"

"How may I help you?" I corrected her automatically.

"Bella." Charlie warned. I just scoffed. He refocused his attention on Alice. "Uh… I know that you're used to a…uh…well a different kind of lifestyle."

"That is an understatement." Alice piped.

"Yes, a spoiled one." I said under my breath.

"Right, well there are rules in this house. Bella has to follow them so I expect the same from you." Charlie said before Alice could mouth her insult.

"I already told Isabella that I don't do curfews. I'm sure she conveyed the message." She folded her arms across her chest, silently making her stand. I gave her the finger behind Charlie's back.

"She did, your father also left a message for you. He mentioned something about an account and it being cut off if you stepped out of line." Charlie waited a few seconds for the small threat to sink in. "I also took the liberty of insuring him that you've been the perfect guest so far."

Alice shifted from the one foot to the other. "Thank you." She said so softly that I had to strain to hear it.

"What was that?" I asked in fake astonishment.

"You heard me."

"Yes but who knew you even knew those words."

"Stop it Bella." Charlie smiled at Alice already back in his laid-back-father mode. "We kept some fish fry for you, if you're hungry."

She glanced at the food in my plate. I could see she wanted to make some snide remark about it. She forced a smile and said, "Uh, I already ate."

"Very well, just make sure your homework is done before you go to bed."

Alice left and I looked at Charlie. "That went better than I thought."

"Don't forget about your homework missy."

"What are you going to do, close my account of ten dollars?" I teased him.

"Why don't you try being friends with her?"

I grabbed his empty plate and stood up. "I have plenty of friends."

"Yes, but she doesn't have any."

"That is because she has minions." I could hear him laughing as I walked to the kitchen.

Alice in wonderland.

I made some friends today, ones that know their place on the social ladder. When I'm with them, I feel like I'm back home. This room (if you could even call it that) and this house is suffocating me. These people don't even have a chef. I'm supposed to make my own food. The Red Queen hates me. I don't know what I've done to her. I just don't understand, people bend over backwards to do what I want. Yet she doesn't. Now, my father is threatening to cut me off if I don't abide by their rules. I'm hungry and tired and no one notices. How are you supposed to sleep when the wind and rain howls around the house all night? Somebody, come and save me please.

Comments:

Blondie – Don't you just love the ones that know their place on the social ladder? Loyal workers, you can take over the world with loyal workers.

Muscles - Give the Red Queen a kick in the ass or beet her into submission

Flirty – I'm on my way my love. My trusty stead and I will come and save you.

Glasses – Stalk much Flirty. Just remember you need a license to drive your mother's Mustang.

Bear – I am sure she doesn't hate you. Just because she doesn't do what you want, doesn't mean she hates you. Usually it only means that she is using her brain.

.

Dork – I guess if you want to see the world as being a sad, terrible, unfair, boo-hoo, boo-hoo place that's fine. But man, what kind of life is that?

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

I jerked awake. Something woke me. The floor creaked down stairs and I heard a shuffling noise. By now, my eyes had adjusted to the dark. I got out of bed and grabbed the baseball bat that stood against my wall. My mind was screaming at me to go back to bed but being a police officer's daughter, I sneaked down the stairs, making sure I skipped the one that squeaked. I could hear Charlie snoring. Some police officer you are.

The shuffling sound came from the kitchen. I sneaked down the hall and taking a deep breath, a glanced inside. I could make out a small shape. I lifted the bat as the person moved in my direction. As the dark silhouette passed in front of the window, I could make out spiky hair. Wait? Spiky hair? I switched on the light.

Alice yelped in surprise as we both blinked like crazy. Slowly my eyes adjusted to the light. "You scared the shit out of me, Isabella." She glanced at the bat in my hands. "What is the bat for?"

"What do you think it's for, Princess?" I sneered.

"You know Charlie probably owns a gun, why didn't you just wake him up?"

I ran my hand through my hair. "Last time I checked, you weren't bulletproof. This is America. We can shoot first and ask questions later." She laughed. "What are you doing here in anyway?"

She blushed slightly. "I uh…I was kind of hungry." Suddenly her stomach rumbled, voicing its opinion on the subject.

"What exactly were you trying to make in the dark?"

"Nothing." She blushed again. "I uh, was looking for a granola bar or something."

Yeah right and I'm Megan Fox. "Princess, you don't know how to make anything do you?"

Her shoulders straightened at once. "I had a chef who…"

"Yeah, yeah he catered to your every whim. I've heard." I interrupted her and walked to the cupboard. I grabbed some bread and peanut butter before walking towards her. I placed two slices on a plate just as a loud snore resounded down the stairs.

"How is he still sleeping? We aren't exactly quiet." Alice asked as I buttered the bread.

"Charlie sleeps like the dead."

She watched my every move like a hawk as I spread a healthy helping of peanut butter on the bread. "That doesn't make him a very good officer."

"No, I guess not." I cut the sandwich in half and held the plate towards her. "I'm no professional chef, but this should hold you till the morning."

She took the plate from me. "Thanks."

I waved my hand and grabbed my bat on my way out of the kitchen. "Hey Isabella, do you always walk around the house half naked?" I looked down at my oversized t-shirt and the black boy shorts that barely peaked out under the hem of the shirt. I turned back to her, noticing that she was wearing a light pink bathrobe. Her eyes traveled down my body lingering a bit too long on my exposed legs.

"Only in autumn and winter, the rest of the year I prefer sleeping naked." For once, she was silent. "Good night, Princess." I said as I disappeared out of the room.

"Goodnight Bella." I don't know if she meant to say it but it made me smile all the same.

A/n Just a small thank you goes out to everyone that reviewed. It's much appreciated. Now I can finally go read Dragon's oath, I've been putting it off so that I could finish this chapter first.

Until the next chapter.