Thanks to Stephenie Meyer for the great characters she created for us to be creative with.

Chapter 3

Turned out Bella wasn't so interested in another drink after all. She paused to watch the performance from the front.

"Do you want to go in the pit?" Eclipse didn't really perform mosh pit music but they always drew people up front anyway. I elbowed our way into the crowd between songs.

"Make way, make way," Jasper took over the mic. "Privileged guest coming through."

Bella blushed as all heads turned to see who he meant. "Wow. They really like you here huh?"

"Oh that wasn't for me. As you can see they like to fill up the front with all the best looking girls." I laughed as Jasper winked at her.

"Listen up!" Ty took back the mic. "It's that oh so special time of the night where we call upon our friends for a bit of help. " The crowd went nuts. Hands waved frantically. Ty motioned to me but I shook my head and took a place directly behind Bella so I could block her from getting shoved. Selecting a curvy brunette who was busting out of her clothes instead, Embry pulled her from the crowd and lifted her on stage.

"It's this thing they do... Everyone loves it. Guest singer." I explained to Bella when she gave me a puzzled look.

"What if they don't know the song?"

"It's easy. Ty sings a line, the guest repeats it. It changes every time. Watch..."

The point of this interaction was to make the guest sing something that made them look ridiculous. It was always a hit and Bella laughed through it too. She was really beginning to loosen up. She even leaned back against me a few times and didn't protest when I put my hands on her waist or an arm around her. She was still smiling when we went backstage at the end of the set. We found Jasper talking to Emmett and Alice. I introduced Bella before he and Em left to load the equipment into the van.

"They're so good!" Bella gushed to Alice.

"I know! I'd forgotten how much fun this was. I've missed it."

"You didn't have to stop coming." My remark came out sounding much harsher than I intended and I regretted it instantly. "Hey, before I forget... Know what turned up tonight? 'Icky Thump'."

"No! Impossible!" Alice grinned. "You know, since I borrowed it and somehow managed to lose it..."

"Yeah that's something..." I gave her my grin. "Sorry Alice." I gave her a nudge with my shoulder. A 'buddy' thing we used to do.

She grinned in response. "You really just found it tonight?"

"Seriously."

"Weird. It's like some kind of omen."

"Freaky," I agreed. "So if you want to borrow it now..." I teased.

"Forget you Cullen." She stuck her tongue out at me.

"What are you, five? And I'm 'Cullen' now? Whatever."

She was doing the 'buddy' rib tickle on me when Emmett returned.

"Alright, great idea you had bro. That was cool. Should we hit The Matrix now?"

"Got my dancin' shoes on!" Alice was up for it. "Bella?"

"Actually, if you don't mind I think I'm calling it a night. I'm really tired. I won't be much fun to be around."

"We'll get you a taxi," Emmett offered looking at the taxi line when we walled out.

"Um thanks but I'd rather walk."

"Mind if I walk with you?" I asked quietly, expecting to be shot down.

"You don't mind?"

Woah. She didn't refuse. "Not at all. Actually," I bent to whisper conspiratorially. "You're doing me a huge favour. That club is the last place I want to be."

"You've been? Everyone says it's great."

"I'm sure it is. If you like clubs."

"You don't."

"I don't dance. Clubs are kinda pointless for me." I grinned shyly.

We parted with Alice and Emmett and headed towards residence."How's the jaw?" Bella asked after a block of silence.

"Not too bad. Of course I have sufficient alcohol content to dull any pain for the moment."

"I'm really sorry I got you into that. It just made me so angry..."

"Yeah, I'm sorry you took the splash. Is your jacket ruined?"

"No. No, it's not that. I don't care about that. It was the whole scene, like you're just sitting there, not bothering anyone. Trying to have a good time just like everyone there. Okay what makes it alright for him to bump you like that, like you weren't even there you know? Like you're invisible... or less important than him."

"Wow. And to think all I got out of that was the guy couldn't handle his booze. But from your perspective, I guess I am pretty unsubstantial."

"No! Oh god, I'm making this worse... I didn't ..."

"Bella, relax." I took her elbow to stop her for a moment. I flashed her a grin when she looked up at me. "I was joking. My ego isn't quite that fragile. But my fingertips are and they're cold. Would you want to grab a coffee?"

She graced me with another glowing smile that sent my pulse into overdrive and insisted I allow her to treat this round.

"So I've been wondering all night, how do you and Alice know each other?" Bella asked, sipping her mocha.

"Ah, yes. She stole my spot in class." I replied cryptically. I still didn't know if Alice had said anything.

"So you have a class together? That's it?"

"No, we don't have a class together. I mean she literally stole my spot. We were in registration last year and she was ahead of me in line. She took the very last place in a class I wanted. Pure evil that one."

Bella laughed at the face I pulled with my last comment. "But you became friends anyway? Or was she just someone to blame all your losses on," she teased light-heartedly.

"Yeah that was the relationship in a nutshell. You nailed it." I chewed on my stir stick as I grinned. "What about you? How do you two know each other?"

"We've been friends since like, kindergarten."

"Really? Why is it I'm only meeting you now?"

"Ah, it is more than casual and occasional thievery between you two... "

"You first." I leaned across the table to show my avid interest.

"Simple. We moved. Alice and I always planned to attend the same university, share a room, all that. I moved in 11th grade and when it came time to apply to schools my parents insisted on locals only. There went our plans."

"So what changed?"

"I was miserable. First year was a disaster. I got a summer job, saved up my dorm fees so I could apply here. I got in for second semester. Here I am." She spread her arms out as she smiled. "Best friends reunited. Now it's your turn. Why haven't I met you until now?"

"It's complicated." I took the stir stick out of my mouth to speak. "We hung out a lot last year for awhile. She's fun. A buddy. She's great."

Bella nodded her agreement. "So what happened? Why did you stop hanging out?"

I scratched at my head while I thought of how to answer her question. "Things just got, I dunno, too much for me I guess. I kinda holed up for a few months. I couldn't deal. Tried to focus on my coursework, decide what I was going to do. I neglected my friendship with Alice. It was entirely my fault." The condensed truth. That would do for now.

"Is it weird for you? That she's dating your brother?"

"To be honest, I haven't had enough time to really consider this new turn of events. I don't usually know anyone my brother hooks up with. I mean, if I meet them once, that's usually the only time."

"He's a player?"

I considered her question while she took an indulgent sip of mocha. "Not a player... He just falls in love too easily, I think. It usually ends just as quickly as it begins. You have a little whipped cream..." I reached over, napkin in hand and gently wiped the frothy dot off her nose.

"Thanks," she laughed. "That always seems to happen and yet other than Alice, you're the only person who's ever told me."

That was the last we spoke of Alice for the night. Once we got started, conversation seemed to flow easily. It seemed like it was only minutes together when I reluctantly left her at her dorm's main door.

That night I dreamt Emmett knocked up Jasper and took off with his guitar. And Bella.

A/N Thanks to those who have added my story to your lists and for the review. Keep 'em coming please! This chapter is on the shorter side, I know. Longer one coming next week. SR