Author's Note:

So I'm sorry about the delay. I just had Dr. appointments and whatnot…turns out my foot is broken and I have a mess of stuff going on…

Anyways….Chapter 3…THE PARTY!!! Edward's going…Bella's going…you know what's going down! ;)

REMEMBER TO REVIEW AT THE END!!!!

Chapter 3- I Hate These Stupid Parties…

BPOV

One minute I was sitting there, quiet as a mouse making friends, and the next I was being dragged head first into a party that apparently had the entire senior year in attendance. Fantastic, considering that I would probably do a bang up job of embarrassing myself at the party. By Monday I'd be the laughing stock of the entire school.

This was turning out to be hell.

Saturday morning had pretty much flown by. I'd gotten up around eleven to get some finishing touches done on my room and have some breakfast. By the time I flipped my last pancake on the hot grill, Charlie had stumbled downstairs clad in his uniform.

"Smells great, Bells."

"Morning, Dad," I greeted him as I slid a short stack onto his plate. "Heading off to work?"

"Yup. Gotta be there by twelve. I'm working until late tonight, Bella. You'll be ok here by yourself?"

"Uhm, yeah. Dad…actually, I'm going out tonight. With the girls, that is."

Charlie looked shocked as I sat across from him. A smile spreading over his face, he dug right into his breakfast. "That's great, Honey. Where are you off to?"

"Just to a…party…at…Mike Newton's…"

"Mike Newton, huh? He's a great kid. Comes from a good family, too; mustn't be too big of an event if his parents are out of town…"

Oh, no.

I had just sold out my new friends to the Chief of Police. Why couldn't I keep my mouth shut? I stuttered, blushing and trying to fix my mistake. "Dad, I, uh…"

"Now, now, Bella. Don't you worry," he laughed, standing up and pushing his plate away. Taking one last gulp of his coffee, Charlie cleared his throat. "I'm not going to go over there and close it down. He's a good kid. You need to get out and meet your new classmates. I trust he won't start up any trouble. Not like some other delinquents this town has to offer…"

"Thanks," I sighed, sinking lower into my chair, paying little to no mind of his stressing about 'other delinquents'. I really didn't care, either. I wasn't the girl who just up and hung out with bad kids; to be honest I wanted to disappear into the chair.

"You just have a good time, Bella. Don't be home too late."

"I won't. It starts at 7:30 so…"

"How does 12 sound for a curfew?"

"Uhm…" I was shocked. He was actually handling this going out to parties thing a lot better then I thought. I already had a midnight curfew, which should be reasonable considering this small town. "Sounds great, Dad. Perfect. Thanks."

He nodded and turned away, red-faced. Charlie wasn't one for emotions, and I took his reaction as understanding enough. "Don't mention it, Bells. You're a good kid. I trust you."

I straightened up the kitchen when Charlie left for work, and well into the time afterward. It was a shame the condition this house was left in. There were signs everywhere that it hadn't been cleaned properly since my mom left, and it hurt me to see how much it had really affected Charlie. All those summers I had been so young, so naïve, so blind to not see it. I felt like each time I sprayed and scrubbed and soaked and washed I was cleaning away the last and final remnants of my mom's touch, though I knew nothing would ever wear her presence away that thin.

It was three o'clock when Jessica called me, bringing me out from the fumes of bleach and glass cleaner.

"So…I'll pick you up at seven, then?"

"Uh, sure, Jess. I just…I have…curfew…" I stuttered as Jessica laughed.

"Yeah, we all do…it's 12. That's like, the standard curfew here."

"Oh," I sighed, relieved. "What do you…wear?"

"Oh my god," she gasped, and I could hear the scrambling on the other line as I put away the household cleaners I had been juggling. "You don't have an outfit picked out already?"

"No…"

"Bella, I'll be there in 15 minutes."

And true to her word, Jessica was there in 15 minutes. She'd made two runs back and forth to her house, and three hours, four dresses, a shower, make-up and a straightening iron later, it was six forty-five and Angela was on her way over to my house.

I turned back and forth a few times, staring hard at myself in the mirror. Jessica was right. The square neckline and cap sleeve of the cotton dress really did flatter my shoulders and bust, and the sapphire color and flouncy skirt of the dress made me look good. The black footless tights, their delicate lace trim tight around my calf, thinned me out and made me look just a bit taller then I really was. Flexing my foot and leaning forward into the dainty black ballet flat, the completion of the entire outfit Jess had leant me, I had to admit that I looked pretty. Not gorgeous, or hot, but…pretty.

It would do, for now.

The doorbell dragging me out of my admiration, I skipped down the steps to help Angela in. Her own dark hair wavy and held back with a barrette, Angela's pale pink sundress fit her height and shape perfectly. It reflected the type of person she was—pure and honest though attractive and fun.

"Ready, girls?" Jessica called out from behind. Her hair half pulled back with a claw clip, Jessica's makeup was bright and her dress loud. It was a strapless, tight-fitting and black, and it showed off every curve. Her long legs lengthened still by her wedge sandal, Jessica beamed as we gaped. Without a doubt, Jessica would be the most attractive girl there. "Yes, we're ready…let's go! We don't want to be late!"

It wasn't long before we got to Mike's house. He lived in a secluded part of town, clearly a wealthy area, and had a large house. Music pumping from stereos inside before we'd even parked in the driveway, it was obvious that the house was packed with people.

Following Jessica's confident strut through the throngs of people, greeting and waving to everyone with a big smile, it was clear to both Angela and myself that she was making a beeline straight for Mike. I was quickly drowning under waves of uneasiness. Here around me was the entirety of my classmates, and seeing as I was the only unfamiliar face, I would be easily recognized. I was suddenly concerned as to how I looked and what these people were thinking, though I'd never cared a day in my life before. Jessica was leading us through halls and under arches to what appeared to be the kitchen. And in finding our way to the kitchen and grabbing a red solo cup of soda, we unconsciously made it easier for the boys to find us in the sea of unfamiliar faces.

"Jessie…" Mike crooned, coming up from behind her to casually wrap his arm around her waist. "You made it, girl; and right on time."

Jessica's answering smile was positively beaming as she twisted her hips seductively to face Mike. "How could I have been late?"

"You're the best, Jess." I was standing alone, Angela off in the corner quietly talking with Ben, when Mike turned his attention to me. "Arizona!" he called, eyes alight and voice boisterous, calling me by my hometown rather then my name. "You made it! You look great! Make yourself at home…"

"Uh…thanks," I replied quietly. I was already alone, everyone having paired off and heading to the living room that, with all the furniture pushed against the walls, was the dance floor.

I hated these stupid parties; excuses to get drunk and act stupid. And here I was, stranded in a sea of blank faces that I might as well get used to because my friends had just left me flat.

Jessica, clearly not pleased with Mike's comments on my appearance quickly changed the subject. Lips pursed, she tried not to glare at Mike, though she slipped. "Oh my God, Mike; there's so many people here! How are you keeping track?"

"Honestly, Jessie, I have no idea how many people are here right now," Mike shrugged smugly. His face turning darker, he tightened his grip around Jess's waist from behind. "All I know is that I've got Tyler, Ben and all my boys making sure nothing goes wrong."

The glint in his eyes as he exchanged a glance with Jessica was protective and guarded, as if there was something they both dreaded.

Rolling my eyes and shrugging, I grabbed my cup off of the counter where I'd left it and glided out to the backyard.

EPOV

As much as I hated Mike Newton, I had to admit that the son of a bitch picked an awesome night for a party. The impending spring air crisp and warm around us, I knew it was the perfect night to be outdoors, which meant girls outside instead of in the house. Which meant privacy in the backyard. Which made it that much easier for me to get them in my car and gone for the night.

Which, all together, was the recipe for an amazing night.

My grip tight on the wheel, I finally pulled into the shithead's driveway. There were cars packed in every available space, and I could see Emmett's jeep parked with an open spot beside it. He leaned casually against the driver's side door, his girlfriend Rosalie tucked protectively under his arm.

Now, don't get me wrong. We Cullens knew how to dress. We had plenty of money and you bet your ass we always looked good, but there was something definitely wrong with Rosalie Hale.

Rosalie was my brother's girlfriend, a freshman in college. She'd lived in this shithole all her life, just like us, and she really hit it off with Emmett. They'd gone steady for a while now and trust me—it only made my life more miserable.

I hated the bitch. That may sound incredibly misogynistic, but if you knew her you'd agree with me. You see, with Rosalie every day was a fashion show. Every. Day. She dressed like she was clubbing to go to school, and to just come over our house to hang out and watch a movie she wore designer jeans, heeled boots and dressy shirts.

Like tonight. This was a perfect example. While the rest of us were in jeans and t-shirts, she looked like she could walk off a runway. A Victoria Secret runway, that is.

Seriously, people like Rosalie Hale had inferiority complexes.

But it wasn't even about the clothes. She was out and out rotten. The girl hated everyone, and I mean everyone. She thought nothing of turning her nose up at people who didn't dress like her or maybe weren't filthy rich like she was. This was a girl who had everything—everything the world had to offer—and still felt like it wasn't enough. Rosalie Hale was better then you and she would find a way to let you know it, but not without making you cry your eyes out first.

I stared at her in disgust, knowing that my brother defended her to the hilt. No one got between Emmett and his woman, though she could absolutely hold her own in a battle. Emmett's arm tight across her shoulders, Rose's long legs that peeked out of the mini red dress she wore that clung to her body contrasted heavily with the dark grain of Emmett's denim jeans. Her long blonde hair straightened and her make-up maniacally in place, Rose was already in bitch mode for the night, scowling as I walked up the drive and whispering harshly to…

Her half brother. And my sister, Alice.

Alice and Jasper had been dating for…well, forever. We were just kids when Jasper had moved in with Rose and her mom, and since he, Alice and I were in the same class, Jasper and I were pretty good friends. I'm really not joking; he's straight laced and shit and he gets straight A's but when you call him up to cover your ass he's down for it. He was the complete opposite of his half sister—and really, why wouldn't he be? I thanked God everyday that they had completely different gene pools.

Anyway, somewhere in like, what, seventh grade I noticed them making googly eyes at each other, and when he finally got the nerve to ask Alice out, she did what only Alice could do—tell you that she knew it was coming. It was something gay, like 'you've kept me waiting a long time,' or some shit like that. Whatever it was, they've been together for 5 years. And I can't really complain because I couldn't ask for a better guy for my sister. I still can't understand why he stood up for me all those times, calming me down and shit when the going got rough. To tell you the truth I couldn't figure out why either of them was here now.

"Oh!" I called out to them harshly, four heads turning at once. "What the fuck is this? Family reunion?"

"Yeah, Eddie," Emmett chortled. "Smile for the camera. Nice face," he snickered.

I let my fingers trace the light purple bruise under my eye, down my jawline. I fucking thanked God it didn't look as bad as it felt. I knew I wanted to fucking off Charlie for this, but there wasn't much I could do. "Fuck you, dick," I spat back. "What's everybody doing here?"

"What we're doing here, ass-"Alice started, though Jasper's tightened grip on her shoulder stopped her mid sentence. She immediately calmed, and shrunk under his arm. Jasper just had that effect on her. They complimented each other like that.

"What Alice is trying to say," Jasper interceded, his eyes large and apologetic, "is that we all thought it would be a nice night out. Together. It's just that…Edward, after recent events…"

I rolled my eyes at his bullshit, seeing through him and the rest of them instantly. These people couldn't lie to me. I knew them too well.

"Bullshit," Rose scowled. "We're here to make sure you don't screw up again. Because at least we'll be able to stop you if you try something stupid. You can bring yourself down all you want, Edward, but you're not bringing us down with you."

"What do you mean I'm 'not dragging the rest of you down with me'? I could understand Alice saying that, maybe even Jasper, but where do you fit in?"

"I fit in where Emmett fits in. And he's tired of your bullshit games. That's it, Edward. He's done."

I'd never lost more respect for my brother then in I did in that one minute. Sure, he'd told me he wanted out, but to have his bitch chew me out the way she did? Fuck that, man—Emmett was one hundred percent wrong.

Rose's gaze still strong on me and Emmett's eyes averted to the gravel drive, both Alice and Jasper looked away as well.

I felt like a giant piece of shit. Worse, I felt betrayed. This was my fucking family, and they were turning away from me. I had my sister who hated me, turning my best friend against me, and my brother letting his controlling beast of a girlfriend attach a leash to his balls. The best was that these were men—men controlled by their women. Men who had stuck by me, and I'd stuck by them when they needed me.

My head starting to spin, I nodded my head and looked toward the house, music blasting from every window. My eyes falling to the floor and then rising to greet three apologetic glances, I brushed the dirt off my shoulder and carried on.

"Well, I'm sorry that my being an asshole has affected you all so greatly. Don't worry. I won't drag you down again. None of you ever have to worry about associating with me ever again," I spat, pushing through them and heading toward the house.

"Hey! Oh! Edward! That's not what she meant, bro!" Emmett called after me. "Where are you going?"

"To get a drink. Or two. Or five. Fuck it, as many as I could get my hands on."

Just from seeing the cars outside, I figured there were a lot of people in the house, but once I was actually inside I was in shock. It was positively packed with people—literally everyone from our class.

Finally reaching the kitchen I cracked open a cold one and downed it straight from the can, not even bothering for a cup. Fishing around the ice bucket, I hooked my second one in the all of five minutes since I'd been there when a slim pair of arms wrapped around my waist. I felt slight pressure on my shoulder where someone leaned, and the overly sweet scent of perfume filling my nostrils, I cringed.

Tanya.

Tanya Denali was just a year older than me. She graduated last year and had gone off to college this past fall. She came home for a week or so every chance she got to screw with everyone only to go right back to school. When she was a senior and I was a junior I'd fucked her a couple of times, and it was that good that every time she came home I was the first one she came back to. But I was done with her. I'd had my fill, and once I was done with them I never went back. It was just what I did. She wasn't getting another turn.

"Mmm," she moaned against me. "Hi, Edward."

"Tanya," I turned around, leaning my back against the countertop and sending her flying back. She looked shocked for a minute, her blue eyes wide at first and then tightening coyly.

Christ, she's going to try and fight for it.

"Didn't think I'd see you here…you were always bigger then these things…" she breathed, her fingers crawling up my chest as she leaned in. Her strawberry blonde hair spilling over her shoulders in loose curls, Tanya's eyes smoldered.

"I am bigger then these things. I hate these stupid parties." I didn't feed into her. I knew feeding into her only led to really bad situations that led her on. Like situations that started with Tanya on her knees and ended with me going home with blue balls.

"Then why don't you and I get out of here and enjoy the…bigger things…" she crooned, and I grunted in disgust. She immediately stiffened and pushed away from me. "What, you're too good for me, Edward?"

"You really wanna hear the answer to that, Tanya?"

Her lips pushing into a thin line, she scowled. "Actually, Edward, I don't. What is this? Has your ego possibly gotten that big?"

"If you think my ego's big, Tanya, you should see my—oh, right. You did."

"A cub playing in the lion's den…whatever. I've had better," she laughed before turning away and out of the kitchen. I seriously didn't care.

"Yeah, Tanya," I called after her, and she turned and stopped where she was in the doorway. "You keep telling yourself that." She looked positively disgusted, and gave me the finger as she got lost in the sea of people. I laughed out loud, chuckled, really, downing my second beer. Cracking open my third of the night, I strutted out through the sliding French door to the backyard.

The warm spring air that had once made me hopeful and put me in a better mood earlier this evening suddenly had a chill to it. It was warm, but not as warm as I thought it was. Seriously, who was I kidding? This was Forks. It rained everyday; we were lucky if the temperatures went above 40 degrees.

I shuffled my feet across the pale white marble of the middle floor balcony. Just before me was the curve, that perfect white marble semicircle that overlooked the expanse of the garden. Below me was the lower garden's terrace, and below that the expanse of the pool where a couple was dangling their feet and making out.

"Amateurs," I sighed to myself, rolling my eyes and taking a slow swallow of beer. It was the darkest night out, definitely past twilight as the moon had risen. Full and beaming, I gazed up. So many things had gone so wrong in 24 hours. My father wanted to kill me, to put it lightly, and my family hated my guts. My sister assembled a babysitting squad so that I wouldn't screw up worse then I already had and my brother—my partner in crime—had turned his back on me.

And for the first time in my life, I was alone. Really and truly alone. Behind me there were close to 150 people, all who knew me by name. 150 people who joked with me at school and drank with me at parties. Behind me was close to every girl I'd ever slept with, and almost all of them were nameless, pointless and a waste of my time. But none of them meant anything to me at all. And for the first time, the hard-ass Edward Cullen swallowed his pride and realized just how bad he'd fucked everything up.

Single handedly.

What a feat.

Laughing to myself, refusing to let myself break down into the depression I only let slip through when I was really alone, I chugged a little more of my beer and rested my forearms on the marble top. I flexed my wrists hanging over the edge to the melody of 'Heart Shaped Box' slowly fading from the speakers on either side of the garden.

And that's when I saw her.

AHHH cliffhanger…sorry! =)

Next week we get some answers! Meet me here Monday…same time, same place

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Be Safe,

Alyssa Cullen