Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Dirty Pretty Things
Chapter Three- Bella's Point of View

"So, that was a little awkward?" I asked, partly for conversation and partly out of curiosity.

"What? The major stare down between you and Edward?" Angela quipped.

We had just made it through security and were back in her black Hummer. Such a big car for such a small girl, I thought.

"Me and Edward? What are you talking about?"

After agreeing to go out to the club with everyone, Angela had decided we should leave to get ready. I had admitted to Angela that I didn't have anything to wear to a club and she had promised she'd be able to take care of it. Now, all I had to do was survive another car ride with her maniac driving.

"Come on, the ogling eyes you were giving him. The fact that he couldn't help but sing your praises on national television? You really didn't notice anything?" Angela asked skeptically.

I didn't respond. So I didn't imagine it. I thought happily.

The truth was, I didn't know what to think of any of it. The entire interview didn't seem nearly as nerve-wracking as sitting next to Edward. It was almost painful being that close to him and not being able to reach out and touch him.

It was easy to understand why he had such a following with the ladies. Then again, those girls didn't have to be in close proximity with Edward the way I would no doubt have to now that we were going to be on the same show together. That thought alone made me both excited and nervous.

"So, clearly you DID notice something!" Angela squealed when I didn't respond.

"Angela, I need to be able to trust you on this."

Angela's face went solemn. "I promise. You can trust me. Now spill! What's the deal?"

"That's just it. I have no idea. I mean, I just met him and I felt so, drawn to him. It's stupid, though. He's Hollywood royalty and definitely not my type." I sighed.

What was wrong with me? I was never the rambling type. I didn't worry over guys or what they thought of me. Hollywood was really screwing me up.

"And what type is that? You can't seriously be writing him off because of his fame. In case you didn't notice, Miss Bella, but you're about to become quite famous yourself." Angela reminded.

I shook my head. "That's different. I'll never have the crazy following that he does. Ah! What am I saying? It doesn't matter. Edward and I are going to have to work together so maybe it'd just be better if you and I didn't talk about it. You know, it might make things weird."

This didn't please Angela. She sighed heavily, looking both amused and exasperated. "Seriously, Bella, I don't get you. You like him and why not? He's nice and hot and not to mention insanely rich. Plus, I think you guys would be really cute together."

We would, wouldn't we? I thought smugly before quickly chasing the thought from my mind.

"Just, forget it. Let's change the subject; like why are we back at work?" I asked, looking out the passenger side window.

We had just pulled up to the studio's main entrance gate and Angela was already rolling down her window to flash the guard her VIP pass. The guard waved her on and opened the security gate to let her drive through.

"Well, you needed something to wear out tonight and since there was no way your long legs would fit into anything I owned, I figured we could just borrow some stuff from the wardrobe department. They have closets full of clothes custom made for your character and since all the clothes are only worn once, you wearing something out will be almost like a brand new outfit." Angela explained.

"Are we allowed to do that?" Somehow I didn't think the wardrobe department would be happy at the thought of us stealing clothes to wear out to trashy nightclubs.

"I don't know if we're allowed, pre say, but I've been doing it for years. We'll just return whatever we borrow and make sure that if were photographed, we look good. It's that simple. Now come on, let's go pick you out something hot."

One hour and sixteen outfits later, Angela was finally happy with my appearance.

I, however, was livid.

"I look like a hooker." I hissed, trying to get a glimpse of myself in the full-length mirror in Angela's dressing room.

"No. You look hot. And if you stop fidgeting, I can finish your make-up and we can get out of here." Angela added a little bit more blush to my cheeks and took a step back to admire her work.

I took the opportunity to squeeze around her and get a full look at myself in the mirror. It had taken some digging, but Angela had managed to find a somewhat formal dress from my character's trashy closet. The dress was strapless with a sweetheart neckline, which was the reason that Angela insisted I wear a push-up bra to flaunt what little cleavage I did have. The style was tight fitting and opened up at the waist to create a slight skirt. To say it went to mid-thigh would be untruthfully adding about four inches to its length. The dress itself was pale pink with old-fashioned lace overlay. It wasn't very risky, but it with the three inch black heels, it was more leg than I had ever shown.

Angela had been kind enough to leave my hair in its naturally wavy curls, but had transformed my face with smoky black and gold eye make-up and bronzed cheeks. Angela had explained that the whole look was supposed to be mysterious and sexy, but I didn't understand what was so mysterious about revealing so much of my body and hiding so much of my face under make-up.

"Wow. I don't look like myself at all." I murmured, almost to myself.

"Yes you do, just a more glam version of yourself."

Angela was dressed in a shimmering blue halter dress that was almost as short as mine. Her silver strappy heels added six inches to her tiny frame and she'd left her hair straight and shiny. Her make-up was very California girl, with pale pink gloss and various shades of pink for eye shadow.

"You look nice." I told her. "I'm sure you'll be beating guys off with a stick tonight."

"Yeah, just not the guy I want." Angela said, halfheartedly.

"Angela, you know when you told me I could trust you? I want you to know that you can trust me to. To be honest, when I talked about things being awkward at the interview, I meant you and Jacob. Are things really that bad?"

Angela looked up at me and I could see tears in her blue eyes. "It's just hard, that's all. I miss him and I miss what we had together. After the four years that we were dating it's hard to remember how to live as just one person again- without someone important by your side nonstop."

No tears fell, but it was clear that Angela was not OK. Without another word I pulled her to me in a tight hug.

"Why don't you just talk to him? After being together that long, it's not like you can just cut him out of your life completely. You work together. You going to have to get along." Angela pulled away from me and nodded her head.

"Yeah, well, some things are easier said than done. Jacob's upset with me and I really can't blame him."

"What happened?"

As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized I'd gone too far. Angela's face froze and she looked at her feet.

"It doesn't matter. I made a mistake and rather than fix it, I let it grow and grow until it just exploded. The result of that explosion is the destruction of my relationship with Jacob." Angela answered honestly.

"That's pretty grim."

"That's Hollywood. It's not all sunshine and happiness. If I could just go back and fix…"

"No." I interrupted. "You never go back. You only go forward."

Angela smiled. "You're right, Bella. So, let's go forward and party."

It was almost nine when we made it to Edward's house. Angela had called Edward after we finished getting ready to figure out what everyone wanted to do. Edward told her that Rosalie and Emmett were going to meet us at the club, as was Jacob, who was in the mood to ride his motorcycle. That left me, Angela, Jasper, Edward, and Edward's younger sister Alice.

After hanging up with Edward, Angela had relied the information to me. She laughed sadly when she mentioned Jacob. "Edward's a sweetheart, trying not to hurt my feelings. Jacob didn't want to ride his bike as much as he wanted to not ride with us."

I couldn't help but gasp when Angela parked in the driveway of Edward's place- it was a mansion.

"Yeah, it has that effect on people." Angela laughed, taking in my stunned expression.

The house was huge, with stone walkways leading up to a glass front door. The front yard was grassy and lined with flowers in various shades and shapes and the walkway was light by SolarLights. Once we got to the front door, Angela opened it without knocking and led us in.

"Honey, I'm home!" she called out, jokingly.

I heard a pair of high heels clicking along the marble floor and watch as a fiery redhead threw herself into Angela's arms.

"Ange, where have you been? Besides off getting even more glamorous!" the redhead cried, pulling away from Angela to admire her outfit.

"Likewise, Alice." Angela replied.

So THIS was Alice Cullen. She was about my height, maybe an inch or two taller, and had dark red hair almost as long as mine in messy loose waves. Her eyes were green, like Edward's, but hers were covered in lots of black eyeliner and mascara, not like Edward's. She was clad in a glittery black tank top dress that was loose fitting and stopped a few inches short of her knees. The dress showed off her toned arms and it was clear that she exercised.

"Oh, great, here I am going on and on about you and I haven't even said hello to your friend. You must be Bella." Alice said, turning her attention to me.

I smiled nervously, and held my hand out to shake.

"Don't be silly." Alice exclaimed, launching at me and pulling me into a hug.

"Good to see your all getting along." I heard a deep voice say.

Alice pulled away from me to reveal Edward standing behind her, dressed in a pair of dark blue jeans and a white v-neck t-shirt. On top of the shirt he was wearing a worn black leather jacket. He looked so good that if Alice hadn't still had her arm around my waist, I might have fainted.

"Duh, Edward. Bella and I are going to be great friends." She said, squeezing me around the waist.

I smiled, trying to ignore the fluttering in my stomach when Edward took in my appearance.

"You look great, Bella." He said, smiling.

Breathe, breathe, I reminded myself. "Thanks. Courtesy of Dirty Pretty Things wardrobe department." I joked.

Alice laughed next to me. "Stealing from wardrobe? Angela has taught you well."

"Of course! Now are you guys ready to go, or what? Where is Jasper, anyways?" Angela asked, stomping her foot in feigned impatience.

"Did someone say my name?" Jasper asked, walking into the foyer. He was dressed in a pair of black jeans and black blazer over a forest green shirt.

"Hey Jasper, done looking in the mirror?" Angela asked, smirking.

"Hi Jasper." I said, over everyone's laughter at Angela's comment.

"Hey, hey, I'm ready to go. Thanks again for driving, Ange."

"No problem, drink all you want tonight, but if any of it ends up in my car, you're walking home." Angela warned.

"See, that's fair. Now, let's get going. I told Rosalie we'd meet them at Exclude at nine." Alice said, opening the front door and leading us out to the car.

Jasper and Alice got into the backseat and almost immediately started to cuddle. I looked over at Edward, who grimaced at his sister and her boyfriend.

"You can have the front seat if you'd like, that way you don't have to sit next to that." I told him.

"Thank you." He whispered gratefully.

I nodded and climbed into the backseat. Edward got in next to Angela in the front and I tried as hard as I could not to wish that he and I were the ones in the back cuddling.

As soon as we pulled up to Exclude there was already a line around the block to get in and countless flashing lights from the photographers' cameras. I knew that this little get together was considered a welcome party for me, but I wasn't all that interested in standing in that long line.

Once we all got out of the car, I realized that the line was not intended for us. Angela strolled up to the front door where a large bouncer was guarding the door with scowling face. He took one look at us and immediately pulled back the red velvet rope that was blocking the entrance. I half expected him to pick me out of the group and order me to wait in line.

After all, I wasn't very famous. Only rarely had people recognized me from promotional commercials and posters for the show since the episodes I was in hadn't even aired yet.

Angela smiled at the photographers, as did Jasper and Alice. In fact, the only people that didn't were Edward and me, who were standing behind the three of them. I looked up at him only to find him looking down at me, a crooked smile on his face.

"I don't really like having my picture taken." He admitted, sheepishly.

I leaned up to him and into his ear. "Neither do I." I whispered.

We both laughed lightly and stared at each other for a moment. I gave him a funny smile after we both didn't turn away and he laughed. It wasn't until Alice turned around and pulled my arm towards the door that our eye connection was broken.

The club was not at all what I expected. It was dark with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The middle of the room acted as a dance floor, while white couches were arranged along the wall as little conversation corners that were divided with gauzy black curtains. Against the far wall was a long bar made of black and white marble that housed countless bottles of alcohol behind the bartenders. Crazy techno French music blared out of hidden speakers. The entire look was classy and elegant and not at all like the typical club I had imagined it to be.

"It's different, huh?" Angela asked, as we took a seat where Jacob and Rosalie were sitting in a secluded sitting area across from the bar.

"It's definitely not what I was expecting." I said, scanning the club.

Alice and Jasper had almost immediately left the group to go dance, while Edward went with his brother Emmett to get drinks.

Emmett was a lot like Edward, with green eyes and a tall frame, but kept his brown hair much shorter than Edward's. He was also more built than Edward, probably because of his job. Angela had filled me in earlier about how Emmett played for the Los Angeles Kings, a hockey team that played at Staples Center here in Los Angeles.

"And what were you expecting? A rave? A disco? A house party in the San Fernando valley?" Rosalie asked. She was dressed in a low cut black halter dress that revealed most of her back and all of her legs. She was sitting away from us in the corner, sipping on a pink cocktail.

"Rosalie, just chill." Angela said, casting her a warning glance.

Rosalie shrugged and went back to watching the dancers, as if we were too boring to talk to.

"Why aren't you out there dancing?" I asked Jacob, trying to break the silence.

"I'm not really the dancing type." He said with a sly smile.

"That's not true." Angela nearly whispered.

I turned to her, surprised.

It was the first time I had heard her back a direct comment to Jacob. Clearly I wasn't the only one surprised. Jacob was now looking at Angela carefully, as if unsure of what to say. Even Rosalie had turned her attention to the two of them, unsure of what was going to happen next.

"I haven't danced in a while, Angela. Maybe I'm not the dancing type anymore." He said. Even though it was a simple enough statement, it was easy to detect the slight edge in his voice.

"So I guess it's pretty easy to let something go. Something you really like. I wonder if it's the same with people." Angela inquired, staring at Jacob with a longing that was heard to deny.

"Well, if people hurt you, I guess you have no choice but to let them go." Jacob challenged, watching Angela for a reaction.

Angela's face fell and I looked to Rosalie for help. She just stared, watching mutely, obviously not sure of what to do either.

"Drinks for everyone." A booming voice called, entering our sitting area. It was Emmett, carrying two drinks, along with Edward, who also had two in his hands.

"What's going on?" Edward asked, feeling the tense environment.

"Excuse me." Angela said, standing up and turning to go.

"Angela, just wait!" I told her, grabbing onto her arm.

"No, Bella. Just leave me alone. I'll be back." She whispered, pulling away and storming off to the bathroom.

Jacob sighed and stood up, grabbing the extra drink in Emmett's hand. Downing it in one swallow, he gave it back to Emmett before chasing after Angela. Emmett went and sat down next to Rosalie, handing her another cocktail.

"I missed you." Rosalie said, leaning in and kissing Emmett, even though he'd only been gone for a few minutes.

"What just happened?" I asked Edward, who came and sat next to me. I was confused and worried about Angela, but I couldn't ignore just how delicious Edward smelled.

"I was just going to ask you the same thing. Drink?" Edward offered.

I nodded, taking the glass from him, trying to ignore the feel of our hands brushing against each other.

"I think I'm going to need one to get through tonight." I muttered, finishing the drink in two swallows.

Or seven.

So there is Chapter 3! I'm so sorry for the wait. I got so excited- putting out two chapters in one day that by the time I was done, I was tired! I hope you enjoyed it and please leave any kind of feedback you'd like. If you have questions, comments, or anything you'd like me to address, I'd be more than happy to. This chapter was more about Angela and Jacob, but I promise you there is a lot of Edward and Bella to come. I just wanted to focus on the other characters so relationships didn't get too rushed. Look for the next chapter hopefully sometime today or early Sunday morning.
Always,
Eden