The rest of the week sped by and we settled into a routine.

Everyday at lunch, Alice and I would talk about fashion, boys and the latest movies and movie stars.

Alice really wanted a boyfriend. Preferably an upper classmen. The boys our age were "so immature" as she put it. Sometimes Alice would tell me about her family.

She was an only child too! But her older cousin, Edward, lived with her family because his parents had died in a car crash a couple of years earlier.

Her mom and dad, Esme and Carlisle, had adopted him. Esme had also tried to have more children, but had a problem carrying them for more than a month or two.

She had four miscarriages in six years and ended up having to have a hysterectomy. Esme had suffered from bouts of depression for quite awhile after, but was

finally starting to recover. She and Carlisle were looking in to fostering, and adoption.

"Can they adopt me?" I asked Alice at lunch one day. She giggled. I guess she didn't realize how seriously I meant that. But of course how would she know, I never

talked about my parents or my home life, unless asked a direct question. In fact, I hardly ever talked about myself at all, instead encouraging her to do all the

talking.

No one knew how hard it was for me at home...although it had gotten better since Renée met Phil.

Friday finally came and I was going straight home with Alice, and Edward. I hadn't met him yet. He was a sophomore, so we didn't share any classes together. He

also had a different lunch period then us. To hear Alice talk about Edward though, we probably wouldn't hit it off. He was popular. He was student class president. He

played in several different sports. Participated in after school clubs. Always surrounded by the most beautiful girls. Never without a girlfriend. And was unbelievably

good looking. He sounded like a god, and my own personal demon.

Last bell rang and Alice and I met up at our lockers.

"Bella! I'm so excited! We are going to have so much fun tonight. I have so many things planned for us. Scary movies, pillow fights, we can paint each others nails,

and food...pizza, chips, popcorn, pop, ice cream, candy, cupcakes. You name it and we have it and will do it." Alice was practically bouncing off the walls. I was afraid

she would take me out soon, with my poor balance and equilibrium problems, I just prayed that I would make it through the night without a trip to the hospital.

I giggled and Alice put her arm around my shoulders and walked out to the student parking lot. We walked up to a beautiful, shiny, brand new Volvo. Inside was the

most handsome boy I had ever seen. He had coppery bronze hair that looked like he had run his hands through it. When he looked at me, I was trapped by his

amazing sea green eyes. I had never seen eyes that color before. I was stunned by how perfect all of his feature were. Beautiful, messy hair, incredible eyes,

straight nose, kissable full lips, strong jaw, clear perfect skin, perfect teeth, perfect smile. He was just too...perfect. He looked like he was a male model.

I felt the blush come up my neck into my cheeks, and quickly looked away before he caught me staring. Oh my God! He was too beautiful. I could feel my heart beat

harder. An almost painful ache was settling into my chest, and I was having difficulty breathing. I never believed in love at first sight, but I did now. As immature and

shallow and crazy as it sounds...I knew that I was in love with this angel sent from above.

Of course, I wouldn't be Bella, if I didn't hurt myself. Because I had looked away and down to avoid eye contact, I managed to hit my head on the door frame as I

was entering the back seat.

"Ow." I mumbled, rubbing my sore spot.

Alice laughed, then got in the front seat next to him. She fastened her seat belt then turned in her seat to introduce us.

"Edward, this is my friend Bella Swan! Bella, this is my cousin, Edward." She waved her hands back and forth between us.

I blushed a little and asked, "Do you go by Ed?"

He frowned and said, "No, I prefer Edward."

He said it pretty abruptly, so I thought I had angered him and blushed even redder.

"Oh, Okay! Sorry, I didn't mean to offend..." I mumbled, embarrassed.

He sighed, "Sorry, that was rude of me. I just really dislike being called 'Ed' or 'Eddie.' Is Bella short for anything?" he asked.

I nodded. "Isabella."

"What a beautiful name," he smiled at me. "Beautiful name for a beautiful girl."

My cheeks were on fire. Was he making fun of me? He had to be! Beautiful girl? Huh, was he blind? No, he was driving. Maybe just glib. He couldn't possible be

serious? I was just...to plain...to fat...to much of a klutz. He had to be making fun of me. I frowned and looked away. JERK!

I was silent for the trip to their home. I listened as Alice and Edward talked about their day. I didn't interrupt. I didn't want to draw any attention to myself. I just

wanted to crawl into a hole right now. I was so embarrassed and mad.

We got to their house and, of course, it was one of the huge country club houses along the golf course. I just kept feeling more and more inadequate.

We pulled into the driveway and Alice chirped, "Come on! Grab your stuff and let's go inside! I wanna show you may room. I'm so excited! LET'S GO!" That girl

needed to take a breath and chill out.

She grabbed my arm and started dragging me to the house. Not a good idea for me. I immediately tripped and went down. Hard. I caught myself with my hands, but

I scraped myself up pretty bad on both my hands and knees.

Edward came up behind me and helped pick me up off the ground, placing me on my feet. "Are you okay?" he asked, holding my hands and looking at the tiny drops

of blood coming from the scraps. "You're bleeding. We need to get you cleaned up."

Alice started whining, "Come on! Hurry up!"

I looked up and up at Edward. Gosh, he was tall.

"How tall are you?" I blurted.

He smiled, "6'1" and still growing."

I nodded and carefully moved away from him.

"Alice, can I get cleaned up and some bandages before the grand tour?" I begged.

Alice huffed at me, but smiled, "Of course, follow me." She didn't grab me and drag me this time.

We walked into the house and it was magnificent. So light and airy. The back wall, was all glass and looked out over a perfectly landscaped back yard, the river and

golf course. It was so breathtaking.

Esme walked through an archway, that must have led to the kitchen, because she had an apron on and looked like she was in the middle of baking.

"This must be Bella." She smiled gently at me. "Oh! What happened to your hands and knees?"

Before I could answer, Edward replied, "Alice."

I frowned and defended my friend. "No, I'm very clumsy. I tripped over my own feet and fell."

Edward just looked at me.

"Well, come in here. Let's get you cleaned up." And she led me into a small half-bath down under the grand staircase.

After getting cleaned up, Alice gave me the tour of her home. She pointed to a closed door at the end of the hall, where music was flowing out of and said, "Edwards

room." Then pulled me into her bedroom across the hall. "And last but not least, my boudoir." With a giggle and sweeping gesture, she invited me into her room.

It suited her. The walls were a pale, lavender with lime green accents. Dark purple plush carpet and cute little butterflies, dragonflies, frogs and fairies everywhere.

We kicked off our shoes and I threw my backpack on the bed. I sank gratefully into the big green beanbag chair in the corner.

Meanwhile she turned on the stereo to a local pop station and then plopped down next to me in the bean bag.

"Sorry that I made you fall and get hurt." She pouted at me.

I hugged her. "I meant what I said. It's my own fault. I'm a klutz!" I reassured her.

"Kids! Carlisle is here with the pizza!" Esme hollered up the stairs.

Alice jumped up easily and then put her hand out to me to help me out of the low chair.

"Thank you!" I giggled.

Alice ran to the door, threw it open, and took off running down stairs. She left me in her dust. I slowly followed at a safer pace. Edward came of of his room, talking

on this cell phone.

"Tanya! I can't come out tonight. We are having family night...No...No it's just family, no friends allowed...Sorry no, its Esme's rule...Well I guess if that's how you

want it...Okay, then I guess we are through...Fine, you broke up with me...Whatever. Bye."

He looked up and saw me eavesdropping. I know I was blushing to the roots of my hair.

"Did you hear that?" He asked.

I just nodded and looked away.

"Hey, do me a favor? Don't mention this to the family." He asked.

"Why? Should I not be here then? Family night? I'm just a friend."

Edward slowly walked over to me and gazed down into my eyes. "I suddenly realized just how shallow Tanya is."

He shrugged than grabbed my hand and led me to the stairs. He guided me down and into the kitchen, where Carlisle, Esme, and Alice were waiting for us.

"There you are" Alice accused. "What took you so long?"

"Sorry, I didn't feel like breaking my neck on the stairs." I smirked back.

Edward just chuckled. I loved his laugh, so low and sexy.

We all sat down for pizza, then Carlisle asked, "What do you girls have planned for the rest of the night?"

Alice giggled, "After dinner, I'm going to give Bella a make over and then we are going to watch scary movies all night long."

"What!?" I shrieked. "I did not say that you could give me a makeover."

"Oh Bella!" Alice pouted at me. "It will be fun. I'm going to give you a facial, manicure and pedicure. When I'm done you're going to feel like a princess."

"Or a life-sized Barbie doll." I grumbled.

Edward laughed and rolled his eyes at me. "You chose to be friends with the pixie, now you pay the price of that friendship."

"Yeah, but no one warned me." I whined.

He, Carlisle, and Esme just laughed at me.

I frowned. I was going to be made over tonight. This was worse than being home and ignored and hated. This was going to by pure torture.