Chapter Four:

Alice paced furiously around the bedroom in her apartment, trying to find something acceptable to wear. Jessica had already picked out three black dresses that were both classy and stylish, but Alice wasn't having it. None were good enough for the remembrance and burial of her brother. Or at least, that's what she told Jess.

"Ugh!" Alice tugged on the corners of her spiky, ink black hair. She was moving so fast it seemed as if she was flying.

"Alice, what's the big deal? Any of these dresses would be fine." Jessica gestured to the wide array of black blouses, skirts, cardigans, and dresses that decorated Alice's room. At Jessica's statement, Alice froze, turned, and glared in one fluid motion. You could see the smoke coming out of her ears, damn it.

"Fine?" she screeched. Jess positively cowered. Seriously, hands coming up to cover her face and all that shit. Alice may have been miniscule, but she was quite persuasive when the situation called for it, and stubborn as hell. "Jessica, Edward Cullen deserves more than fine! He deserves freaking perfect!" she turned away, crossing her arms. "That's why he didn't wanna be with you," she muttered under her breath. Not that Jess would've understood if she had heard. She wasn't exactly the brightest bulb in the box.

Alice went back to her manic pacing around the room and Jessica went back to texting. Alice had just about resigned herself from having to do an emergency shopping spree when she saw it. There. In the farthest corner of her large, walk-in closet. She gave a wistful smile, feeling slightly nostalgic. Her prom dress. It was long, creamy, satiny black that draped gracefully along her chest and finished with small spaghetti straps. It fell past her feet, but with a quick snip-n-sew, it would be a sophisticated cocktail-length, and would look nice with her dark gray blazer and black studded necklace. She quickly snatched it up and shooed Jessica out the front door with a promise to pick her up later so they could go together to the funeral. Alice needed her peace and quiet to fix her dress and make it perfect.

She tried not to think about her brother as she worked. She couldn't remember the last time they had had a conversation about something that wasn't a possible girlfriend for him. She couldn't help it. She loved her brother, and although he was still young he needed to at least consider dating someone…ya know, at some point. And now Alice's worst fear had come to pass. Edward had died alone.

Alice pulled up in front of Jessica's luxurious apartment building and sent a quick text telling her that she was there. With a deep sigh, she wiped the palms of her hands on the seat. She was freaking out and she didn't know if she would be able to hold it together at the funeral. Before she had time to think about it any longer, Jessica came out and hopped in the passenger side of Alice's Porsche. She was in a tight black mini, a black tube top, and a gold chain necklace. Oh, and hooker heels of course. She seemed way too excited to be going to a funeral.

"Jess," Alice said calmly as she pulled out onto the road and headed towards the church. "You know Edward is dead, right?" Jessica continued to fluff her hair and adjust her make up in the mirror, puckering her lips.

"So? Your oldest brother will be there, right?"

"Emmett?" Alice reminded her.

"Oh…Emmett. So sexy."

Alice gagged and looked away. "Um, you know he's ten years older than you, right?" That just made Jessica smirk.

"Perfect. That just means he has more experience."

"Why am I bringing you, again?" Alice murmured softly, and then louder, "He's also taken." Jessica could not be shaken.

"Even better."

By this time, Alice was pulling into the church parking lot. The walkway to the front door was bathed in a sea of black. There were mourners of all ages coming to pay their respects and Alice couldn't help but roll her eyes at it all. Half these people didn't even say two words to Edward ever. But while it irritated her, it also felt good to know that her brother had been so loved. And then, as she and Jess got out of the car and joined the masses, Alice saw her. The girl who killed her brother.

"Jessica, go on in. I'll meet you there in a few." She said through clenched teeth. Jessica, clueless as ever, just smiled, nodded, and walked away. And Alice marched over to Isabella Swan who was standing in the corner of the parking lot looking lost.

Bella looked up, shocked, as she saw Alice come to a halt less than a foot away from her. She shifted nervously, crossing her arms and looking awkwardly to the side.

"What the hell do you think you're doing here?" Alice demanded harshly, hands on hips. Bella literally jumped back in surprise. She and Alice had never exactly been friends, but she had never known her to be this mean.

"I-I…um…," Bella looked to her right, mouthing words as if someone were there, completely ignoring Alice's question. Well, Alice wasn't having that. She shoved Bella's right shoulder, turning her back to face her.

"Am I talking to a brick wall here or something? Answer me, dammit!" she shrieked. Her eyes were wild and it looked as if she was being possessed by something. Something dark. Evil. Alice was crazy. Bella didn't know how to answer, so she just said the most obvious response.

"I'm here to pay my respects."

Alice snorted. "If you wanted to be respectful, maybe…hmm…I don't know. You could have…not killed my brother? UGH!" She took a few calming breaths while Bella took a few steps back out of pure fear. This was not the sweet, innocent Alice she remembered from school. This was something…other. "Listen," Alice said, pinching the bridge of her nose and squinting her eyes shut. "If you value your life at all, why don't you just get out of here? It's what Edward would have wanted." And with that, she turned on her heel and left. Bella just stood there, staring after her, tears running down her face.

"God!" she cried out. "What have I done!"

Phew! Kind of an angsty chapter there. Glad that's out. I just wanted to show that Alice is not the same girl she used to be. Sorry there was no Ghostward here, but he'll be back next chapter. Hope you guys enjoyed this one! I'm enjoying reading all the reviews and everything! The more reviews, the faster I post!

-Elle.

P.S. Who loves how much of a hoe Jessica is? Because, I kinda do.