BPOV

Thank God. The school day was finally over. The rest of the day dragged. I was looking forward to the shopping trip with 'the girls.' I couldn't wait to get some much needed info about Eddie from Jessica. I need to know his story. Plus, I really did need some retail therapy. I called Charlie at the station to tell him that I met some nice friends and they were taking me shopping and out to dinner in PA. He told me to be home at a decent hour. Right. I was making my way toward the school parking to meet Alice so we could drop my car off at my house, and make our way to the mall.

I was scanning the parking lot looking for Alice when I saw him. Eddie. He and Jasper and Emmett were play fighting by a silver Volvo. I stopped and pulled my strawberry lip gloss from my purse, swiped in on and walked toward them with a little swing in my hips. I looked at the line of cars as I approached and knew right away which car belonged to whom. The bright yellow Porsche was Alice's for sure. The candy red convertible Mercedes was Rose's. Jacked up Jeep, Emmett, and the old GTO had to be Jasper's. So that leaves Edward with the bitch car? Ha ha. I guess I shouldn't think that way as I have the ugliest car in existence, but I used to have an M3 for crying out loud.

"Hey, boys," I said, to get their attention. The three of them stopped to look at me. Jasper smirked and nudged Edward.

"Hey, Bella," Emmett and Jasper said at the same time. Edward said nothing, of course.

"Hey. I was just wondering where Alice was. She's supposed to take me shopping?"

"Oh, she's with Rose, they should be here in a minute," Jasper replied.

"Ok, thanks." I was turning around to walk toward my truck

"Say, Bella?" Jasper called after me. I turned back around to face them.

"Yeah?"

"You're coming to the Cullen residence after your little shopping trip, right? We're just having a couple of cocktails, and hanging out, you know, the usual."

I looked over at Edward eyebrows raised.

"Oh, I don't know Jasper, am I even invited?"

Jasper and Emmett both turned to look at him waiting for a response.

He looked back at me, shrugged his shoulders and replied," Well, I guess so, I mean, I'm sure Alice would want you to come." What. An. Ass.

I shrugged my shoulders and responded calmly with a hint of bitch, "Then I guess I'll see if I can make it."

"Damn!" Emmett exclaimed. "She's feisty, and I like it!"

I rolled my eyes and turned, walking to my truck when Alice, the ball of energy, came running toward me.

"Bella, I was looking for you! Are you ready to shop your ass off, or what?"

"Of course I am," I replied, "let's get the fuck out of here."

"Ok, I'll just text Rose and let them know we'll meet them after we drop off your car. I'll see you at your house in 10."

"You know where it is, right?"

"Yeah, we usually try to avoid going anywhere near the Chief's house. See ya in a bit."

I got into my truck feeling little annoyed. Why was Eddie being so fickle? I caught him smirking at me earlier when he was walking out of the lunchroom. I knew that little PDA session with Jessica was contrived so that I would see. He really didn't seem like the kind of guy who makes out with his girlfriend in public. Huh. I pulled up to Charlie's and ran upstairs to change into ballet flats because I couldn't bear go shopping with these damn heels on. I heard tires on the gravel and music blaring, so Alice had arrived. I bolted down the stairs and got into her car.

"Hey Bella."

"Hey, Al. Thanks for picking me up, I am so needing this, you have no idea."

"Ha ha," she laughed, "anytime, babe, shopping is my favorite pastime, you know. Oh, also, I wanted to make sure that you are definitely coming over later for our weekly get together. Jasper said my asshole brother was not exactly too welcoming."

"Yeah, about that…why is Edward being such a douche to me? I mean, I was trying to be nice to him in class and he blew me off, in the cafeteria he blew me off, and blew me off in the parking lot." I'd really like to blow him off sometime soon, though.

"I don't know, Bella. Ever since this girl he dated, Tanya, moved away, he's been a total asshole to all woman kind. I think he really liked her and it fucked him in the head." Yes, this information was useful.

"Well, he'll find out soon enough that I don't take kindly to bullshit like that."

"Just be a bitch back to him," she laughed," it works wonders for Rose. And please come over later, don't mind my dumbass brother."

"No, it's fine. I'm coming as long as Charlie doesn't care."

"Just lie and say you're tired and dinner ran late."

"I'll try. I'm still in a little trouble, but he may let me just to spite Renee."

"So what's the deal with the family back home anyway? Tell me more about why they made you come here."

"Well, Phil's a professional baseball player and my mom is his groupie. They were out of town all the time. It was fucking fantastic. The only rule was not to have parties, and the one time I did, I got caught. And it was some party. Maybe it's for the best though, it was kind of getting old in Phoenix."

"So, did you leave anyone behind? You know, a boyfriend?" she inquired.

" I had a boyfriend, James, but we broke it off before I even knew I was going to be shipped here. We still talk, though. It was a physical thing, really. Nothing like you and Jasper."

"Yeah, we're pretty much soul mates. He's honestly the best person I've ever met. I already have my engagement ring picked out for after college."

"That's great, Alice, really. I have never had anything like that."

"You will someday." She patted my hand reassuringly.

We made our way to the Port Angeles mall when Alice opened her buzzing phone.

"Hey, bitch I'm here. Quit blowing up my phone, me and Bella are talking, gah." I was guessing Rose was on the other line.

"She never met up with you? What happened?" Pause.

"Oh, I see. Well, meet us in the usual spot, Bye." She slammed her phone shut.

She turned to me."I swear to god, Bella, I am so sick of my brother throwing away women. I always try and include them to be nice, and right when I think someone might stay around, he goes and fucks it all up." Interesting development.

"Well? Spill it," I said a little too eager.

"After he and Jessica left after lunch, they got in some sort of fight. He ended it officially after school. She's devastated." Even more interesting.

"Alice, I mean, she kind of had it coming. She said she loved him. It's only been a month, right?

"True, Bella, that was pretty stupid of her, but I just wanted him to find someone again. He used to be so different. I should have known, though." Alice was honestly too nice for her own good. Men like Eddie usually don't change.

We walked up to the front of the mall to meet a waving Rose. She was dressed fabulously. These girls were definitely stylish, thank god.

"Hey, bitches, took ya long enough." She said as we came to greet her.

"Shut up, you know I drive fast." Alice said as she gave Rose a hug. I could tell they had been friends forever. I secretly hoped I would be included in their little circle soon. All my friends back home were typical bitches. They would stab you in the back and steal your man in a heartbeat.

"So, Bella, do you have a preference on where to go?" Rose asked.

"No, just take me anywhere with shoes. I have money to burn," I replied.

"Aw, a girl after my own heart," Rose replied. I guess Alice had convinced her to be nice to me finally.

We shopped and shopped and got to know each other better. Rose was actually very cool, and we had a lot in common. I had bags upon bags full of new sexy clothing and I was going to make the newly single Eddie notice me. We were all shopped out and the girls were missing their men, so we decided to head back. Ugh, crap. It dawned on me that I still had to call Charlie to see if I could stay at Alice's. I walked away from the girls so I could lay it on thick.

Ring. Ring.

"Hello?"

"Daddy?" for effect, of course.

"Bells?"

"Hey, dad. So I have a question."

"Shoot."

"I'm still here in Port Angeles with Alice and Rose. Shopping ran a little long and we are sooo hungry and tired. We wanted to stop and get some food on the way back, and since her house is closer than ours, well, I was wondering if you cared if I just stayed at Alice's."

"I don't know, Bella, you don't have any of your stuff for school. It's kind of last minute."

"I brought my backpack, and I bought some clothes at the mall. She can give me a ride to school in the morning. I'm just so tired, dad. It's been a long day."

"I don't know, Bells, you are supposed to be grounded."

I started begging. "Please, dad, I really want these girls to be my friends. Please be cool, dad and let me stay." I was whining at this point.

"OK, but I'm always cool." I rolled my eyes. "I guess that'll be fine, just as long as Carlisle and Esme know."

"Thanks dad, you are seriously the best! I love you!"

"Love you , too. Bye."

I was so glad Charlie was new to this parenting thing. Anyone else would never have been able to get away with that. I told the girls I would be staying over, and Alice jumped up and down with excitement. We walked through the mall on the way back to the cars and I started feeling a little nervous and then a little excited. I mean, Eddie lived at Alice's. I realized I wanted to change into something more appropriate for the occasion. I stopped by the bathroom and chose a perfect outfit; a short black dress and a pair of gray slouchy boots. I touched up my makeup and hair and met up with Alice and Rose. We got to the cars and made our way home to the boys.

a/n: So, Bella's allowed to stay over. I wonder what will happen next? Hmmm. Booze + Edward + Bella. EPOV up next. Stay tuned.