Bella POV

Walking into the Cullen's mansion was like setting foot into a house out of a dream. It was impossibly big; in all the years I'd been best friends with Alice, I am certain I've yet to see the interior in its entirety. There were grand pillars and beautiful landscaping surrounding the exterior. I think my whole house would fit inside the foyer. Alice's mom had exquisite taste in everything and it was very apparent that all the furniture and items in the house were chosen with extreme care. Alice set her expensive tote bag on the sparkling pearl tile as she began traversing across the lavishing living room filled with furniture imported from all over the world as I followed behind with the costumes.

"Mom! Bella and I are home and we're going to get ready for the party!" Alice exclaimed.

Esme appeared out of the kitchen, through a door that was among many in the house. She was wearing a dark gray pencil skirt and lavender blouse that accentuated the red tint in her very well kept hair that was down and abounding off her shoulders. She looked stunning even with the apron over her outfit and wiping her hands on a white dish towel. She clearly had been doing dishes or cooking. While the Cullens could without a doubt afford to keep the mansion fully staffed with maids and cooks, they insisted on doing everything themselves. I had been told on more than one occasion by them that it was the simple things that brought joy to life. Esme smiled as she leaned in the door way with one stocking foot over the other and her arms crossed. "I'm sure Bella can't wait to endure the endless hair curling and makeup applying you'll put her through Alice." Esme winked at me.

"But of course, Mrs. Cullen. If anyone knows how to talk me into wearing a lip gloss that smells like cupcakes, it's your daughter," I wittily replied.

Alice grabs my wrist and drags me upstairs saying, "Come on Bella, we only have three hours and I have to primp two people instead of one."

As soon as we've ascended the winding staircase, we arrive on the second floor which contains eleven doors by my count. The rooms that I knew of on this floor were Alice's, Rosalie's, and of course, Edward's. His bedroom was the most sacred of all sanctuaries in my mind. I'd once caught a glimpse of it when I was sleeping over at Alice's and going to brush my teeth, while Alice was showering in her attached bathroom. There was Edward sitting with his door open, back against his bed and strumming at his guitar, bronze hair falling about his face. He noticed me walking by and looking at him and he glanced up from his guitar and I was completely mortified and turned forward and practically sprinted to the bathroom with my blue toothbrush curled tightly in my fist. I wish I hadn't been wearing old sweats and had my hair knotted on top of my head that night. On the way back to Alice's room with my minty fresh breath I didn't look in Edward's room when I'd walked past but had seen out of the corner of my eye that the bedroom door was then closed. Needless to say, I never wear old sweat pants when I sleep over at the Cullens anymore.

We arrive at Alice's bedroom and she hurriedly opens the door. She trots across the room and takes off her coat and plops on the bed. I scurry in behind her. Alice's room is girl world times ten. Her walls are painted the color of strawberry lollipop and she has a grandiose bed with a pink satin comforter and plethora of matching pillows. To the right of the massive bed, which occupies the middle of the room, is a white vanity with an impressive array of MAC, Clinique, Estee Lauder and Dior products, varying from bright eye shadows to exotic fragrances.

"Do you want me to go give Edward his costume?" I inquire. Hoping she won't read too much into it.

"Uhm well he's at the shop picking up his car for tonight, but you can go hang it on his door knob." She says and smiles, as she's turning on the curling iron, she undoubtedly plans to tangle my hair around.

When I return from hanging Edward's costume, Alice is ready to start in on what she calls my "mess of hair." Forty-five minutes and twelve grumbled "Alice"s later, my hair is in its curly glory. I can't even move without my head of curls bouncing. Half way into Alice's excruciating process of caking makeup on my face, I hear a creak and in walks perfection in the human form. Thankfully, Alice was in between applying stages other wise I would have had a mascara applicator jabbed in my eye from the look of how startled Alice was when Edward walked in unannounced.

"GOSH EDWARD! Know how to knock? I could've poked Bella's eye out!" Alice exclaims as she grabs a near by pillow and whips it across the room into Edward's chest.

"Sorry Alice I didn't realize you had company." He says as he turns to me and his green eyes pierce mine, "Hey Bella, sorry if I startled you," as he turns back to Alice. "I was just going to offer you a ride to the party Alice, now that my car's fixed and of course that means a ride for you too Bella." Edward looks awkward against the backdrop of everything pink in Alice's room. He was still dressed in his clothes from school, a dark gray fitted hoodie and faded blue jeans, held up by a belt so as not to expose his batman boxers excessively; not that I notice his boxers everyday or anything. It's just like an ongoing joke between us as I took note of his superhero themed boxers one day and mentioned it to him and it spurred a weeks on end argument about whether or not Batman really is a superhero or not. I say not, but whatever. I've missed the rest of Alice's and Edward's conversation as I temporarily spaced out. I come back to reality to see Edward turning to leave.

Alice leans and whispers in my ear, "Apparently Edward hasn't seen his costume yet." She chuckles as she starts in on applying her makeup. "So Jasper's going tonight right?"

"Yeah, he's usually into the whole trick or treating scene. I guess the appeal of free candy never dies, even when you're eighteen. "I laugh to myself at the thought of Jasper in all his ridiculous last second costumes over the years.

"Edward said he'd be ready to go in like twenty minutes so we'd better hurry it up. You'd better go put on your costume, Miss 'Angel from Heaven' and might I say, you will certainly look the part with that rockin' bod!" Alice says giddily as she shoves my costume into my hands. I just roll my eyes and scoff in disagreement as I begin to work my way towards her attached bathroom.

"Hey I heard that Bella!" She calls after me. I just close the bathroom door and begin to unzip the plastic covering over my costume. After I've put it on and am convinced I don't look like too much of a clown in it, I begin slowly open the bathroom door and walk slowly out hoping Alice won't turn and shriek. Just as I'm sure I'm safely to the bed where my jacket is so that I can cover up "EEEEEEEK!" Alice sees me.

"Isabella Swan! You come here right now and let me get a look at you!" Alice exclaims.

I turn towards her and slowly put down the jacket I'm holding in front of myself. "Alright Alice, I know it looks completely ridiculous…" I grumble.

Alice says with a huge smile across her face, "All I'm going to say is, whatever guy you might have your eye on, will certainly have his eyes on you tonight… all of you." She finishes as she turns and looks at her newly put on costume in the mirror. That makes me feel a little better about myself, but far be it from me to put it past Alice to give a false compliment but she seemed to surely mean this one. "Good thing that we don't like the same guy," she mutters under her breath as she turns back to me. "But I didn't mean anything by it cause we all know I change who is cute every other week," Alice says as she flashes another smile. I just casually smile back, thinking if she only knew…

"Well are we already to go then?" Alice inquires as she grabs up her coat and motions for me to follow.

"Yeah, I'd say so," as I mimic her and grab my coat and bag and follow her out the bedroom door and down the hallway where she knocks on Edward's door as she half shouts "Edward, it's been twenty minutes, like you said and we are ready to go!"

The door creaks open and out steps Edward. Tall, dark and handsome wouldn't even describe him. He was way past clichés. I wanted to take one lasting look into those dark green eyes and use his body as a jungle gym, vampire cape and all. He smiled with his vampire teeth in and raised his arm over his mouth. "I vant to suck yer blud!" He mumbled.

"Yeah Edward like that's not cheesy at all…" I say with a smile.

"Yeah well, I thought it was pretty funny, 'cause you know I'm cool like that." Edward says as he follows behind us down the never ending set of stairs.

When it came to getting in Edward's Volvo, I definitely wanted to ride shotgun but not be obvious about it. "I call shotty… so I can control the radio!" was the only sorry excuse of a reason I could come up with. Alice went along with it though and wordlessly got into the back seat.

We made the usual small talk about the party and who was going, on the way to Emmet's. I was disappointed when I felt the tires come to a stop.

Time spent with Alice and Edward was never time wasted.

When we got into the massively crowded party we all went our separate ways. I was off to find the most secluded spot I could, so no one could see me in full curly angel glory. On my way to such a spot I managed to spot Jazz, in his natural habitat, hitting on a girl. He was looking lit up as though he'd already had a drink or two. Well guess I'll be doing the driving on the way home. I think to myself as I plop down in a comfy chair in the least crowded room of the party. My thoughts drifted to Edward, he was probably hitting on some girl who was way more beautiful than I'd ever hope to be. I sighed to myself and he hadn't even made one comment about my costume the whole night. Maybe I was completely delusional for even thinking… I don't know what I was thinking. Edward is gorgeous, smart and funny. Why on earth would he ever go for a plain, boring girl like me. I must've been sitting there deep in thought for I don't know how long but I was suddenly thirsty for something non-alcoholic and set off to find a drink of water. I waded in between couples definitely not making enough room for baby Jesus when they were dancing and also by couples who were obviously trying to see who could tie their tongues in a knot first. Being surrounded by people who weren't as alone as I was only disheartened my mood and my quest to get a glass of water became as though the only reason for my existence. At least it was a direction. That direction ended when I tripped over someone's foot and fell as gracefully as I could manage, on my face. "At least this stupid costume is Bella proof," I grumble as a muscular arm helps me to my feet.

"What would you do without me?" The voice belonging to the arm said and I knew that voice, it belonged to a 'd obviously grown tired of his inhibiting vampire fangs and had gotten rid of them altogether.

"Oh, I don't know, probably make a fool out of myself and fall in front of a bunch of people, oh wait, I already did that." I say with a smirk.

"You know, I really have never seen anyone trip walking up the stairs, as many times as you have walking back from lunch Bella." He snickered as I realized he was still holding my arm even though I was fully vertical again. Hating the thought of him thinking of me as some clumsy oaf, I snatch my arm away; flash half a smile and inquire, "Well, anyways where have you been tonight?"

"Oh, you know, here and there, mostly hiding from Jessica Stanley though." He leaned in and whispered in a hushed tone, "I guess her idea of her repaying me for hitting my car is to stick her tongue down my throat and hands down my pants." I rolled my eyes at the thought of this, completely disgusted. "Yeah and I'm sure you were entirely opposed to that idea Edward." I say, feeling sick.

"Well… not entirely," he teased. "Oh come on Bella, get real! I'm not that kind of guy and you know it."

"Edward, I know that. I was just kidding." I beam.

"Well, hey I was going to go find Alice, I'll catch you later? If not I'll definitely text you." He says with a smile as he turns to leave.

It's at this time I spot a blond curly mass sitting on the sofa, picking the next victim of his shameless pickup lines as he sips at his, no doubt, umpteenth cup of alcohol. I decide to keep an eye on Jasper to make sure he behaves himself as he's already looking pretty far gone and buzzed as it is. My suspicions prove right about five minutes later when the girl isn't buying it and Jasper won't let it go. I decide to perform my sisterly duty and take Jazz home before he causes any real trouble. I stride over to the couch.

"Okay big guy, time to get you home." I say as I pull his arm up from couch.

"Ohhh but Bella, I was just having suchhh a wonderfullll time," he stammers out as I help him to his feet. "Weren't weeee Amy?" He asks as he motions sloppily to the girl on the couch. "My name is Angela." She states firmly. I just roll my eyes and reach in Jazz's pockets for the keys to the jag.

Alice POV

Once we got to the party, I split ways from Bella and Edward. The point was to mingle and make new friends, right? I let them walk in first feeling accomplished at the sight of both their costumes. I walked in a spotted Jasper, he gave me a little nod and I blushed. I found Tyler who sits next to me in English, and I decided I'd go say hi.

"Nice costume, Alice," He smiled as he played with the bottom of my skirt. I smiled but hit his hand away, he was definitely not the guy I was trying to impress tonight.

"Anyone want to bob for apples?" Mike Newton approached us wearing a wizard costume, and grabbed Tyler. The three of us headed out on the back covered porch to find a big tub with apples. I found this was my chance to sneak away and try to find Jasper. The place was crowded, full of people all dressed up in a variety of costumes. Emmett came up behind me and gave me a big hug.

"Little Sister!!" He exclaimed. "I haven't seen you in a while, Rose said you and Ed would come. He here too?" I smiled and nodded. "I miss you guys, I'll have to come over soon for some of your mom's delicious cookin'. Well have fun," he slapped me on the back and disappeared into the sea of people. I was surprised he wasn't slurring any of his words yet, but its still early.

I found Jessica Staney, more like she found me. She started asking me all about Edward, "What type of girl does he like? Is something wrong with him, he just left me downstairs by the pool table." I had no clue what to say but I could tell she has been drinking. "I don't feel too good." That was all I needed to hear, and I rushed her to the bathroom. She threw up a few times; I grabbed Mike Newton, who has a crush on Jessica, and begged him to watch her, thankfully he agreed. The party was more than half over, and I haven't seen my sister or talked with Jasper.

Finally, I saw Rosalie, she was re-stocking the chips. "Having fun?" She asked. I nodded slowly and took a chip, I chewed loudly. "What's wrong?" she took the hint. I opened my mouth to answer but suddenly spotted Jasper in his pirate costume and ran up to him.

"Hey," I tapped him on the shoulder and he smiled. "I heard you were kinda bummed you didn't get to go trick-or-treating this year."

"Yeah, but I got over it," Jasper chuckled. He put his arm around my shoulder, lifted up his eye patch, and leaned down to tell me something, "See that girl right there? The one in the black with the cat ears?" I could smell the alcohol on his breath as he pointed. The girl obviously wasn't from Forks, because I've never seen her before. "She's going to be my treat tonight," he informed me, then went over and sat next to her on the couch. I stood there fighting back tears, as he put his arm around her and whispered in her ear. My fists clenched and I felt the urge to go rip off her cat ears, and throw her out of the party. I was ready to punch the next person that talked to me.

"Alice?" I felt a tap on my shoulder, so I turned around and punched the guy who spoke my name. "What'd I do? You aren't still mad I walked in your room unannounced earlier, are you?" I looked up and saw it was Edward, so I hit him again. His eyes got wide and he looked all confused, then worried.

I gave him a hug, and started to cry into his shirt, "You and Dad lied! Guys do not like me!!"

He pushed me pushed me off him and looked away, he shook his head and said, "Alice, your make-up is smearing. What happened?" I wiped my tears, and crossed my arms. "Want to go home?" Finally he understood.

"Yes, please," I answered. I had enough of this party, enough of stupid boys, enough of ridiculous bass-pumping music. Edward threw me his keys and I walked out to his Volvo, trying to to let anyone notice that I was leaving the party early; even though a lot of my classmates already left the house was still packed. I slammed the passenger door shut, and Edward came nonchalantly strolling out of the house five minutes and 27 seconds later, yes I counted. Edward opened his door and I handed him the keys once he was sitting. This was one time I didn't feel like talking, and I was glad Edward realized that. He is a great brother, and I never really thought about it before.

We pulled into the garage, and both walked up to our rooms. I hastily removed my costume and replaced it with a tank top, and pajama shorts. I kicked the costume under my bed in hopes never to be reminded of the night. After a few deep breathes, I was calm enough to walk down to Edward's room and explain. I knocked, and he greeted me at the door in his ridiculous Batman boxers. "Put some clothes on, and let's eat some food." I turned and head down toward the kitchen. It wasn't two minutes before he joined me, just throwing on a white t-shirt; I just shook my head, this wasn't the time for fashion advice.

"Want an ice cream sundae like dad used to make when we were little?" Edward asked, I smiled and sat down on a stool at the counter. Looking at him, scooping the ice cream I noticed how much he resembled our father. Then I started tearing up again as I remembered my dad wasn't here. Edward looked up from scooping, with a worried expression.

I closed my eyes and shook my head, "I'm just tired, I'm sorry." He titled his head with a theres-no-need-to-be-sorry look. I smiled, and he continued making our sundaes. We sat in silence until he finished, and took a seat on the stool opposite me. Our kitchen was huge, my mom wanted one that she could cook and bake in. There is a lot of counter space with an island in the middle that has stools on two ends. I swallowed a big spoonful of ice cream, and noticed Edward hadn't touched his, "How was your night?"

"It was good, hid from Jessica, hung out with Bella, mingled, felt lame in my costume," Edward winked at me, I laughed and spit out some of my ice cream. I would've been embarrassed if it happened in front of anyone other than my brother. We used to be really close when we were little, even Bella, it was always the three of us. Ever since high school started the two of them started to get closer, nothing like boyfriend and girlfriend close. I could not imagine them together, Bella is like my sister. "I didn't see you most of the night. Where were you? Not off somewhere with Mike Newton? I saw the way he was looking at you."

"No way!! Edward, seriously I liked him in sixth grade, please forget about it!" I was shocked that he brought it up. "It was fun, I mingled too. Met some new people, got hit on by Tyler Crowly, and helped Jessica to the bathroom before she puked on me, " I was content with my night, until Jasper came and ruined it. I dug my spoon into my ice cream, Edward noticed my unnecessary amount of force.

"What happened, Alice?" Edward knew something was wrong, and I could not avoid him, he always knew what was on my mind.

"This guy I liked, he is stupid," I took a big bite of ice cream.

"Who? Jasper?" Edward asked. I stared in disbelief, how did he know. "I realized you liked Jasper, a long time ago. But it's just a crush Alice. He is your best friends brother, he's not worth it." I shrugged, and a few minutes passed.

"Speaking of best friends and brothers, you and Bella?" I inquired. "You guys have all these inside jokes, and I feel left out. It's not my fault I'm not smart enough to be in your advanced classes," I spat out. I threw my bowl into the sink, not bothering to rinse it out. I marched upstairs and shut my door leaving Edward all alone to finish his sundae.

Once I was in my room, I grabbed my iPod. Scrolling through all the songs, I stopped and put on a song about teardrops, and wishing stars, I snuggled into my bed and slowly fell asleep.


End notes: The party scene! J/B going home will be in the next chapter. Thanks for reading :)