Chapter 3-

I was out of the car even before Edward cut off the engine. Running was slightly dangerous for someone so accident prone, but I would definitely run a marathon if it meant seeing my sister afterwards. I didn't have to worry about that, however, as she came running to me.

Alice was nothing but a blur to my human vision; she crashed into my body and knocked my breath out. Then, she proceeded to squeeze the life out of me.

"Alice!" I heard Edward yell.

"Al – ice – can't…breathe!" I choked out.

"Oops!" Alice released me and in a very human reaction, she held her hands over her mouth.

I frowned down at her, "I said I couldn't breathe. I didn't say to let go of me."

She beamed up at me and hugged me again, a little lighter this time. I chuckled, trying my best not to start crying. I really, really missed the tiny sprite.

She freed me, but kept a firm grip on my hand, dragging me through the patio and up the stairs to the porch. I latched onto Edward with my free hand and we walked through the door, a three-man train.

The Cullen home hadn't changed in the least bit since the last time I had been here. It was just as beautiful, airy, and posh as it had been on my seventeenth birthday, if not, then more so. Esme was the first to get up, she squeezed me into a hug as well, Alice was forced to let me go, but Edward held my hand in a death grip.

"Welcome back, sweetie." Esme said sweetly. She squeezed my shoulders once more, looking like she would be crying if she could, gave me one more smile, and handed me off to Carlisle. I blinked back my own tears as Carlisle enveloped me in his embrace. He smelled like Charlie; like musk, spice, and home.

"It's good to see you again, Bella." He gave me that lady-killer smile of his and I had to remind myself to take a breath.

"And under better circumstances, too." I joked, referring to my many trips to the hospital. He laughed under his breath and went to stand next to his wife, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

Before I had time to blink, I was hoisted into a pair of incredibly large arms; Edward finally forced to let go of my hand.

"Bella-bear!"

"Emmett!" I squeaked out. "Put me down, you big oaf!"

"Whoops! Sorry, forgot." He gave me a sheepish grin, his adorable dimples showing. His boyish expression did me in. What the hell, I've got nothing to lose but a couple of ribs, and there was a doctor in the house, along with a guy who went through medical school twice.

I rolled my eyes and held my arms out. He grinned even wider and picked me up again like a doll. When he put me back down, Edward put his hands at my waist to steady me, and my face was flushed from the joy ride I was just on.

When I finally shied my grinning face away from the amused Cullen family, I noticed the last two members by the grand staircase.

I wasn't good at emotions as it was, but when you're stuck in this kind of position, things become slightly awkward. Who the hell am I kidding? Things get SERIOUSLY awkward.

Everyone was silent for a few moments, unaware of how to approach this. I was facing Jasper and Rosalie so I couldn't see the rest of the family's faces, though Edward kept his hand at my waist still. His touch was really the only thing that kept me from bolting out the door.

I didn't really know either Rosalie or Jasper. Rosalie always gave me the impression that she didn't want anything to do with me. Jasper, however, had tried, but never came all that close to me because of his bloodlust. And then there was the incident at my birthday party…do I have to say it again? Awkward.

Not able to stand the quiet any longer, I cleared my throat and smiled as best as I could, "Hey Jasper, Rosalie."

Jasper smiled slightly and nodded, Rosalie just nodded. She then cat walked to the couch and perched on the end, opening a magazine that was on the side table. Emmett moved over to sit next to her, giving me an apologetic smile and mussing up my hair before plopping down next to her and turning on the TV.

"Bella dear?" I turned around towards Esme's voice as I tried to fix my hair. "I hope you'll stay for lunch; I'll make something edible, I promise." Now who could say no to that face? I smiled at her and nodded, leaning in to Edward as he embraced me from behind. She beamed back at me and rushed to the kitchen to get started right away.

Carlisle chuckled at his wife's antics before facing Edward. "Edward, son, can I speak to you for a moment?" Edward nodded his head; he kissed me once and smiled at me. The two of them headed towards Carlisle's study.

A dark head popped up in my sight of view, "Bella? Why do you aggravate me so?"

I raised my eyebrow down at her, "What are you talking about, Alice?"

She gestured to my clothes and my eyes widened.

"Oh, no."

"Oh, yes." Alice gave a Cheshire cat smile.

"Oh, no." I backed up a step.

"Uh-huh." She followed me with a lithe step of her own.

"No, no. Please Alice, no."

"Oh, yeah." She nodded her dark head and threw her arms in the air. "Make-over time!" I groaned and the sound quickly turned into a light gasp as she dragged me up the stairs to her room.

"Alice!" I had no choice but to submit to the conniving, little pixie. She was too strong for me.

As she looked through her closet for some 'suitable' clothes, I sat at her vanity, pondering at what Edward and Carlisle were talking about. Her singsong, chipper voice interrupted my musings as she asked about school, my friends at school, Charlie, etc. She dolled me up in some super tight, dark skinny jeans, and a pair of cute boots with fake gray fur lining the top.

Apparently, this time, I didn't do all that bad so she let me keep my shirt on. When Alice began doing my makeup and brushing through my hair, she turned on some music. Friggin' Lady Gaga, I never would've pegged Alice for a fan.

We swayed to Paparazzi and Telephone, "Bella, your hair is so gorgeous! I wish I had hair that was as long and beautiful as yours." She picked up a strand from her dark bob and frowned down at it. "When you have hair this short, it's difficult to do anything with it. I'm kind of getting tired of wearing the same style over and over again."

"Why don't you use extensions, or wigs?" I suggested.

She wrinkled her perfect nose at me. "Fake hair, huh? I'll think about it," she conceded.

After a few moments of singing along to Love Game, I asked Alice, "When are you guys gonna come back to school?"

She applied some kind of moisturizer into my hair, "We're thinking after Spring Break." I nodded, five day of school without Edward or Alice; I could do that.

When Alice was finished, we joined the rest of the family in the living room. Esme had prepared chicken Caesar salad for me and I smiled thankfully at her from my position snuggled into Edward's arm. Jasper still strayed away from me, looking uncomfortable and Rosalie continued to ignore my presence. But that was fine, because I had Edward; he stroked my hair, feeling its soft texture, running his hand up and down my back.

We maintained contact throughout the entire time I was eating. Once I had finished and Esme took the bowl from me to clean it, Carlisle spoke, "Bella, I hear that you've been...that you've befriended werewolves?"

"Yes."

He nodded, "I see."

"Why? Is something wrong?" I heard Rosalie snort lightly, and Edward glared over at her. I turned to him, "Edward?"

He sighed, "The werewolves are coming tonight to...discuss the treaty?" He didn't sound so sure. "We don't know what for yet."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "There's something else."

He grimaced, "Last night, while you were asleep, a werewolf – I believe his name is Jacob – came over to your house. But upon catching my scent, he went back."

My eyes widened, "Shit!" I stood up, fumbling around for my cell; it was off. When I turned it on, my phone beeped like crazy, signaling I had about twenty missed calls and sixteen texts. All from the wolves.


Yes, i know that I wrote Jasper attacked her on her seventeenth birthday; i did it because i honestly thought that nineteen was a little too old. I probably won't even let her make it to eighteen ;)

Reviews PLEASE!