Chapter 3

The next day I walked into work with drizzle in my hair. I knew there had been no point blow-drying it, it was only going to go frizzy anyway.

I dumped my stuff down and saw Alice already typing on her computer. I was struck with a slight sense of panic. Was I late? Had I been in traffic longer than my dashboard clock said? I turned my computer on quickly and double-checked my watch to the clock on the wall. I sighed in relief as I saw I wasn't late. In fact I was five minutes early. How did I manage that?

"You okay Bella?" Alice asked looking at me with concern. She knew I usually entered my own little world, so I don't know why she worried so much.

"Fine, just thought I was late or something. Are you okay?" I countered, mirroring the worry in my voice that she had used moments ago. I looked at the computer meaningfully. She understood quickly. Alice just…got me better than most.

"I'm just typing up about Jed!" she explained. I gathered this to be last night's mishap date, and went to investigate.

I pulled my chair over to her desk, and peered at her screen. She was filling in his details, I.e. that his full name was Jed Walker and he was a financial adviser, she had put accountant in brackets. She put in where he worked and the bar she had met him in and what night, just to be safe.

Then she scrolled up to show me the picture.

"He's not exactly ugly Alice...what was wrong with him?" the lighting wasn't brilliant, but he seemed fine to me. Short, dark hair and dark eyes. He was cleanly shaven and had a nice suit on. He must have made an effort for Alice, just to be ditched minutes after the date started. I felt guilty and a bit sorry for the guy.

"I guess I got a good angle, but he had this mole...here" she said with a disgusted face and pointed to the side of her nose. "It was so distracting! How can you have a relationship with a guy when all you can see is his mole?!"

She looked so serious, and I couldn't help a little giggle.

"Poor bloke. So I'm guessing Alex doesn't have a mole then?"

"No. he's perfect." her face melted into a dreamy smile. "In fact, he said he'd call me at some point today."

"Cool, well make sure you get a photo for me. I'd like to see what you actually approve of." I got up and fetched the details of Unlucky Jed from the printer, and then as I clipped it into our folder, added, "This is getting a little full!"

"Not all of us can have the perfect relationship with a big strong guy called Jake." she answered sarcastically, smiling. I smiled too even though all I could think was; it's not perfect.

I moved back to my desk and we started our work. I was flying through files when a client's name jogged my memory of my school reunion. Thanks a lot Mr Edwards. I sat there mulling over the idea of going to it again as I typed.

"Bella?" Alice called at me. I looked up startled. Why was she shouting? "Finally! I've been talking to you for the last five minutes. Could have told me you weren't listening!"

Oops. "Sorry Alice, was in my own world again. I got an invitation to something last night and I don't know whether I should go or not." I saw her ears literally prick up at the mention of an invitation.

"Ooh! What to?" her eyes had brightened and whatever she was talking to me about before was forgotten.

"My high school reunion" I sighed.

"Why wouldn't you want to go? I loved school!"

"Because unlike you Alice, I wasn't exactly popular at school, in fact I was pretty invisible. Besides Jake can't make it anyway." I was listing these things more to myself than to Alice. I knew I had no reason to go. So why was I feeling disappointed?

"Why do you need Jake to go with you? Cant you go by yourself?" she asked leaning over her desk, holding her head in her hands.

"I'm not going by myself!" my voice shot up an octave or two with the mere thought of it.

"Tch. Bella it's not that bad. Stop being so dramatic!" despite my worries over the reunion, I let out a little chuckle. Being called dramatic by Alice was a little peculiar.

We didn't mention the reunion again that afternoon, as Alex had phoned to ask Alice on a date. Being the impatient little pixie she is, Alice proposed they go out this evening, and so the first (sober) date was planned.

The rest of the day was spent discussing what she should wear and where her dream guy might take her.

I drove home to grab some fresh clothes before heading off again for Jake's. I let myself in and started the dinner. I was just serving up when he came home.

He kicked his shoes off and sat down in front of the TV. It annoyed me how he never even offered to help anymore, but I knew better than to nag. I was hoping we could have a happy evening for once.

I brought in his dinner on a tray and sat down to eat mine. He had put on the sports, something I had never enjoyed watching. I sat and endured it anyway, then went to clean the dishes.

I picked up one of my books I left round here particularly for moments like these and curled up on the sofa to read it. When the game on TV finished, Jake took his plate out then came and sat with me.

"So how was work?" he asked. I sighed and put down my book.

"It was ok. Alice is going out on a date with her dream guy tonight."

He scrunched his face in thought, and then answered "Dale?"

"Nope" I giggled. "He was so three weeks ago. Tonight its Alex."

He just shook his head and muttered something under his breath. I pretended not to hear it since I didn't agree with him slagging off my best friend.

"So how was your work today?" I asked.

"Ah, this lady brought in a gorgeous old Camaro today. She was a beauty." I knew he meant the car, but still felt my eyes twitch. He didn't notice and carried on describing the car in great detail. All I really understood was that it was fast, and blue.

As there was a proper match on tonight I went to bed early. I read my book like usual, and fell asleep with it still in my hands. I woke again as Jake climbed noisily into bed next to me. A few minutes later I heard his snoring start up and the familiar rhythm lulled me back to sleep.

A/N Hope you're enjoying it so far! Any ideas of what is to come?

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