AN: 'Kidding Ourselves – Stabilo' such a nice song :)

Another chapter! I'm on a roll! Here she is, I was kinda sad to be writing Bella's POV… I actually like writing Edward's, haha.

I am officially dedicating this chapter to Argetlamgirl because she has reviewed every chapter with TOTALLY amazing reviews, especially her last one which was uber long to my liking! And she said I was her hero which automatically makes her my hero : ) thanks for all the support!

BPOV

Today marked three months since I had come to stay at Phoenix Rehabilitation Center (what a mouthful). With any luck, I'd only need to stay three more months and then I'm out of here. Sounds simple enough, right? I knew I really didn't need to still be here, although I haven't really gotten over my drug habit, but deep down there was a part of me that didn't want to leave; I didn't want to leave Alice. She was the first real friend I had ever made so why would I want to separate myself from her?

I thoughts were interrupted by the very person I was just thinking about when Alice walked back into our room.

"Shower's free. Hurry up before Lauren gets in there," Alice told me as she rolled her eyes. I understood what she was saying right away and booked it to the shower. As I made it to the doorway of the bathroom I could see Lauren strutting her way down the corridor. I grinned cheekily to her as she stopped mid-strut, huffed, and turned around. Alice and I always made a point to get a shower in before Lauren took over the bathroom because she spends at least a half an hour in there. I was fairly certain all she does is look at her reflection in there. That's just one girl's opinion.

Clean, fed, and ready to take on the world (okay, not really) we walked to our classroom for another day of Mrs. Williams' thrilling tutoring. A thing I liked about what was being taught here was that it was easy. I wasn't lazy, per say, but when you're trying to kick a drug habit it helps when you don't have to worry about tough schoolwork; more specifically frustrating trigonometry, which I found I hated more and more each day. Thankfully it wasn't too hard here.

"Oh no, Mike's made his entrance…and—" Alice suddenly stopped mid-sentence. I looked up to get a view of her face, only to see a grin was slowly forming on her lips. That's it, I was too afraid to look at Mike.

"Oh god, Alice, what's he doing, did he bring flowers again?" I asked desperately, remembering the last time Mike tried to serenade me. Though, it was anything but that, his idea of winning a girl was quite repulsive to watch.

She still had that freaky grin on her face as she replied, "Nope…"

I definitely wasn't looking now. Ever since Mike arrived at PRC he's had his heart set on me, to my displeasure. He's a nice guy when he wants to be but it's impossible to get past his trait of being utterly annoying. I was afraid to spend a second alone with this guy because if I did, I wouldn't doubt that he'd get down on one knee and propose right then and there.

Yet I didn't understand why Mike Newton was so infatuated with me. I was the Plain Jane/Bella of the…millennium. There was nothing more special or different about me than any other girl around me. So, why was Mike so persistent in winning my love? I think that's a mystery that will never be solved.

"Hi Bella!" Shoot. I looked up quickly to see Mike turned around in his seat…watching me. Creepy would be an understatement here.

"Hellomike…" my words mushed together. I quickly shot my head back down before Mike got the wrong idea, like I was looking at him because I wanted to.

"Edward! Hey, man!" I heard Mike call. Edward…? It couldn't be that same person, could it? Don't look, Bella, don't look. Mike could still be there waiting for you to look back at him. At this scary thought, I continued my focus on the paper in front me, doodling aimlessly.

"Hi! I'm Alice Brandon," I heard Alice introduce herself from my left to the stranger. He hadn't replied yet when I felt a sharp stab to my ribcage, compliments of Alice. I was about to tell her off when I was met with the familiar green orbs that I had the pleasure of looking at yesterday.

"Edward Cullen," the living god introduced.

I caught myself staring and got my mouth to function enough for me to blurt out my name. My traitor cheeks began to burn as I saw he was staring right back at me with the same intensity. I felt like I didn't even deserve to be in the presence of this beautiful boy but here I was, shamelessly watching him like I was to go blind in the next minute. As I blushed more at this thought, a smile formed on Edward's face, which only made me lose my mind more at the site of his perfect white teeth.

I could practically feel Alice bouncing in her seat beside me but I could not tear my eyes away from Edward's, but thankfully Alice broke the slowly forming awkward silence.

"I hear you're new here, Edward, correct?" I knew she didn't hear it, she just had her way of knowing things and never being wrong; it was uncanny.

"Correct," Edward replied.

"Well, welcome! We'd be more than willing to show you around, right Bella?" Alice asked me excitedly. By the look on her face I could tell she had something planned and it honestly got me nervous, knowing what she was capable of.

"Yeah, definitely!" Might as well pretend I'm not scared for my life here. I forced a smile to seal the deal.

"That sounds great," Edward replied as he looked straight into my eyes. Before I could say anything that might convince Edward I wasn't completely unintelligent with my inability to form three words in his presence, Mike decided it was his time to pipe up.

"Hey Bella, tonight's movie night, would you like to go with me?" NO I wanted to scream, however I wasn't that cruel of a person, sadly.

I saw Edward look back at me before I turned to Mike and said, "Sorry Mike, I said I'd sit with Alice and Jasper, right Alice?" If you deny this, Alice, so help me I will…

"Right!" Good answer, Alice.

Just turn around, Mike, please. I cheered in my mind as he did what I silently asked. 'Atta boy.

"Edward, you can come as well, of course!" Alice said, continuing as if Mike had never even talked to me seconds ago.

They continued to talk but all I could think was no, no, NO! I don't need another opportunity for me to make a blundering fool of myself. Alice, what are you trying to do to me? Mortify me to death? But of course, that would mean more time near Edward…I kept thinking of the pros and cons of this event tonight until I heard Alice mention shopping tomorrow.

"What?! I thought we went last weekend?" Okay, I may have said that a bit too loud.

"No silly, last weekend we went to the museum. We haven't gone shopping in two weeks." I would have taken sympathy on her with the look on her face in any other situation but not this time. This was seriously not good; I was in for a long day tomorrow.

"That's right, my apologies, I only endured enough shopping to last me a lifetime," I shot back as I vividly remembered the last shopping excursion where I wasn't able to stop trying on clothes until the chaperones had to drag her out of the mall.

I heard Edward chuckle near me and I turned to him. He had no idea how serious I was.

"Oh, you laugh now. You haven't had the pleasure of shopping with Alice Brandon," I said with the most serious face, little did I know that this would plant an idea in Alice's evil mind.

"Ooo! Good idea, Bella! You'll have to join us tomorrow when we go to the mall. Don't worry, Jasper will be there. I can't wait for you to meet him, I know you two will just hit it off," Alice told Edward in a rush.

"You're doomed, Edward," I spoke just above a whisper to him, as I watched Alice formulating her shopping plans. "She has the word 'makeover' written all over her face. Trust me when I tell you that is not an experience you want to go through," and he should trust me. I knew all too well what it felt like to be put through an Alice Brandon Original Makeover. I heard Edward gulp from beside me. Laughing, I turned to the front of the classroom as Mrs. Williams began teaching.

Another day went by monotonously like every other day (with the new exception of Edward sitting by me) and to my surprise and pure relief, I survived the tour of PRC Alice and I gave Edward. I only stumbled twice (not even completely falling) and I don't even think Edward saw either times which I thanked every god in the universe and Snoopy for. Did I mention I'm a klutz?

Sadly, Edward had to leave for a meeting with Dr. Reid (we had the same doctor!) and Alice practically dragged me to our room at the end of the day. I was greeted with a high-pitched squeal, causing me to clamp my hands over my ears.

"I knew it! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!…" Alice sang as she danced around the room. I put my hands on her little shoulders to stop her movements.

"Knew what, Alice?" I'd regret asking that.

"That you and Edward are perfect for each other, of course," she stated matter-of-factly.

"What? We just met today! How can you possibly know that? Besides, we are not perfect for each other. Have you looked at Edward? Why would Edward, perfect Edward …like someone like me? The boringest plainest person in the history of boring and plain people. I mean—"

"Bella! Bella, stop! You're beginning to babble. I just know, okay? You know I'm always right. He totally likes you, I can tell. You also weren't witnessing what I was seeing today when we were showing Edward around. You two were totally flirting with each other!" She said as she jumped up and down.

Wait, what? "He was? I was?" Even though I couldn't get over the fact that Edward could possibly have been flirting with me today and I wasn't even aware of it, the more shocking bit of news was that I, Isabella Swan, was flirting as well.

"Yes, yes! You shocked me, I was so proud of you today!" she said as she got on the balls of her feet to ruffle my hair.

I swatted her hand away as I stammered, "But-but…I didn't even realize it."

"Well, I didn't say either of you were any good," she joked.

"Ha-ha," I said mechanically. "Wow…I can't believe myself."

"Well, believe it, my little flirt! Hey, it's close to dinner let's go find Jasper…and Edward!" she instructed as she sang Edward's name. She wasn't going to be letting this go anytime soon.

I grunted in reply, too annoyed to speak a word, and we walked to the cafeteria. While we were waiting in line, Jasper found us and Edward followed minutes later. Alice introduced Jasper to Edward and she was right of course, they did seem to be getting along fine. I didn't blame Edward, if it meant getting away from Mike, I'd be best friends with anybody.

All throughout dinner, though, I couldn't help but notice Edward's mood had turned sour.

"What's wrong, Edward?" I asked quietly so no one else could listen in, figuring he'd appreciate it, though I didn't even know if he'd tell me anything. Edward seemed to like his privacy.

I was right to an extent, he seemed to think things over a few seconds before saying anything, "Dr. Reid knew I hadn't given up my…drugs," Edward said so quietly I had to strain my ears to catch it.

So he had snuck some drugs in. Impressive, to say the least, but I knew it was for his own good.

"It's for the better really, the sooner they think you're safe to rejoin your 'community' the sooner you can leave. But I can see why you'd want to put off the detox, it's almost as unpleasant as shopping with Alice," I winked to reassure him I was trying to lighten the atmosphere a tad, which it did, getting a small laugh out of him. "But after that, if you're sly enough you can pretty much fool them into thinking you're clean," I reassured him.

I saw that he wasn't quite clear with what I was saying so I added as I leant in, "I hid a stash of cocaine at my house for when I'm allowed to go visit."

My eyes flickered over to Alice for a nanosecond to see her grinning as she gave me a wink. I could tell she was thinking…flirt, flirt, flirt.

I immediately straightened up, sending a glare her way. This is exchange had, to my delight, gone unnoticed by Edward as he seemed to be in thought, smiling slightly.

"Bella! We have to go change for the movie!" Alice gasped out, standing up from the table abruptly.

"Change?" Edward inquired from across the table.

"Yes, everyone always dresses in their pajamas for movie night," telling him as if it was the most obvious fact. "So you go change as well!" Alice gave him and Jasper a small shove to the door as they too stood up and then grabbed my arm, dragging me to our room.

"Put this on!" Alice ordered as she shoved a blue tank top and a short pair of white shorts with black stars on them.

"WHAT? Alice, are you insane? I am not wearing this!" I exclaimed in defiance, as I put my hands on my hips.

She mimicked my position and asked, "And why not?"

"Why not? Because: not only will I look like a slut, but we'll be in the presence of…how many people go here?" I quickly lost my train of thought for second before gathering myself, "Anyway, I'll also look awful in this. Therefore, I am not wearing it." I smiled, knowing I put up a good fight this time.

"Oh, but yes you are," Alice shot back right away. I remained silent so she spoke again, this time with a pout. "Bella, please? Edward will love it," she said with a grin.

I couldn't say anything; I just stood there with my agape.

"Okay how about, I will go easy on you tomorrow when we go to the mall?" she bargained.

I thought this out long and hard. Well, not that long, we didn't have much time, but make no mistake I did think this through.

I figured one night dressed in this skimpy outfit wouldn't be too awful if it meant a less intense time shopping with Alice tomorrow.

"All right," I finally sighed, "but you have to wear something like this as well."

"Okay," she shrugged.

I knew I wouldn't have gotten a reaction out of her but it was worth a shot.

We waited for the boys by the entrance to the cafeteria; all the while I was pulling on the short pair of shorts, trying to get them to go at all lower without pulling them off all together; I just hoped it appeared subtle.

Just like in the cafeteria, Jasper met up with us, Edward finding us minutes later. I noticed Edward looking at me and my…I guess they were pajamas, with some kind of intensity in his eyes. This only made me more nervous and self-conscientious.

I was all too aware of the close proximity with Edward as we sat and watched the movie and Alice realized I knew this, as I couldn't stop fidgeting. Every few minutes she'd have to kick my foot to get me to stop moving.

I resorted in attempting to let the movie capture my full attention but Alice was right, the movies here were really lame. I also couldn't help but notice Edward wasn't watching the movie at all but stealing quick glances at me. My heart soared as I thought that maybe Alice was right once again, maybe Edward did like me!

But as the night progressed I could also tell he was looking to his left as well. I couldn't see who he was looking at but my stomach dropped as I realized it was probably some other girl. Probably Lauren, I thought as I scowled. As soon as he started chuckling to himself I was officially lost. Why was he laughing? He couldn't have been laughing at the poor excuse for a movie. What did I do?? Was he laughing at my pajamas? I knew I looked horrible in them! Who was I kidding; Edward most definitely did not like me.

My brain was starting to hurt from all the fretting I was doing so I was grateful when the movie finally ended, me being ready to flee to my room and never come out.

I said a quick good night to Edward as I took Alice from out of Jasper's arms where she was curled up in and hauled her down the corridor.

"That was fun, wasn't it?" Alice laughed with a smile.

I huffed and gave her a glare, even though I knew it was not her fault, and continued my beeline to our room.

Alice didn't take it personally, though; in fact it only made her laugh louder.

Fine, I thought, looks like someone's going to have to put up with Stubborn Bella tomorrow.

AN: There you go! Next chapter is the mall and such. And I'm thinking it's going to be in BPOV, and I'm not going to EPOV this time. We'll just see where this goes.

I can't believe I got like 700 hits! And yet 25 reviews hm… I'm not going to be a nudge though, or one of those people who threaten to not post a chapter until they meet their goal of reviews. Just please review; it makes me feel good :)

--blinding-rainbows