*This is my first FanFic. There's no Beta, so please excuse any mistakes.
I'd love any reviews if you'll give them to me!
And, of course, Stephenie Meyer owns all Twilight *
A/N: Happy Thursday! It's a special week...you're getting two chapters! Originally this chapter and chapter 3 were going to be one giant chapter but...I wanted to give you guys a scene where Bella kind of confronts Jacob more. So, my original idea was broken into 3 and 4. The good news about this chapter? We're closer to Edward. Warning: next week the lemons are going to get intense.
Thank you again for all the lovely reviews! Thank you to everyone following this story!
Please read, enjoy and review!
CHAPTER FOUR
To: Rosie; Alice:
Holy. Shit. How is your Monday, girls? Oh, how's mine you ask? Ya know…just slapped Jacob's face on the way to Brit Lit. No big deal.
What I should be have been doing: taking meticulous notes for the upcoming paper on As You Like It that was surely going to kick my ass. What I was actually doing: re-playing the scene in the Quad and furiously tapping at my phone's screen to see if Alice or Rosie responded to my group text message.
Come on guys. Answer. Answer. Answer.
As if I willed it, my screen lit up.
Alice:
Ohhhhh my god. That's fucking EPIC. I wish I would have seen that!
My phone lit up again.
Rosie:
Hahahah NO WAY. How are you feeling? He must have done something to piss you off that much. I don't think I've ever seen you hit anyone before. Not even that drunk frat loser James when he tried to feel you up freshman year while calling you "Yella"
I had to bite back my laughter. This was what I was looking for- a ridiculous distraction from the mess that was consuming my brain.
To: Rosie; Alice:
Hahah oh my god Rosie. DON'T REMIND ME. I should have slapped him. Why would he ever think a parent would name their child "Yella?" Anyway, I'll tell you guys all the horrific details tonight. Wanna do a dinner date night?
A "dinner date night" meant we all cooked dinner with each other and had a roommate date. It was another way we bonded. Plus, Rosie was an excellent cook. Alice, on the other hand, burned frozen dinners. She did, however, somehow know what wine would go perfectly with our dinner even if Rosie and I didn't tell her what we were making. I usually took care of side dishes or dessert. While in the midst of thinking what I would do with what we had at home, my phone lit up with two text messages.
Rosie:
Fine. But I'm not putting out. I'm not that easy, Swan ;-) I'll make the chicken
Alice:
I'll probably put out, so don't worry B. I'll make wine
I laughed out loud before covering my mouth with my hand. A few people around me in the lecture hall turned and stared. I immediately looked around the room and pretended the most fascinating thing was on the ceiling. After a few moments I looked down to text back.
To: Alice; Rosie:
Al, you can't make wine.
Alice:
Technically you do make wine, I just can't. But I can open a bottle with a cork screw which I count as my contribution. Let me have this, B. With two top chefs in the house, I need some sort self-worth in the kitchen.
To: Alice; Rosie:
Haha okay Alice. You're the most important part of our dinner dates ;-) Rosie- I'll make the side dish & dessert
Alice:
*Swoon* Now you're for sure getting some! Haha! See you ladies later tonight
I had to stifle another laugh. They had successfully got my mind off of Jacob for at least a while. I turned my palm upright and saw that the redness had faded drastically.
I must have really slapped him hard.
For a brief second I felt bad for him. But, it was brief. After the second, I resumed my feelings of hate, anger, betrayal and disgust.
I finished my Brit Lit class and went to the library to study for a few hours until I had my WWII Propaganda history class. I had to be incredibly observant of my surroundings as I walked around campus. I didn't want another run in with Jacob. When I finally finished classes at 5, I stopped by a small bakery on the way home to pick up a triple chocolate cake for dessert.
I struggled up the stairs towards my apartment carrying the large box with the cake inside and the overwhelming weight of my back pack that contained several History and Lit books. As soon as I got into the apartment and flipped on a switch, I saw a note on the counter from Rosie telling me she went to the grocery store to pick up some items for dinner tonight. I lugged my backpack into my room, sent a quick text to my parents telling them I'd call them tomorrow for a full update. My dad responded with "K. Talk then," while my mom responded over four texts messages. I loudly sighed as I set my phone down, undressed and changed into yoga pants and a Forks police sweatshirt. I had stolen it from my dad's closet before I left for college so I'd have a small physical piece of him here. I hugged myself in it, wishing it was my dad. I knew he'd secretly be proud and pleased about what I did, but outwardly he wouldn't be thrilled.
"HONEY, I'M HOME!"
Alice's chirpy voice sang throughout the apartment. I went out into the living room to meet her.
"So, I bet Rosie is going to sauté the chicken. It's one of her favorite techniques. Since that's the case, I got us an excellent Pinot Grigio."
She ended the sentence in a regal English accent. I couldn't help but laugh and take the wine from her so she could go change into comfortable clothes. Fifteen minutes later Rosie came in with several bags from the local market. She did, in fact, choose to sauté, while I added olive oil and garlic to asparagus and roasted them. After Alice poured us all a glass of wine, she started cutting thick slices of fresh French bread that Rosie had picked up. We didn't talk about Jacob yet. Instead, I asked how Emmett and Jasper were doing. Without thinking, Rosie accidentally started talking about the options for Valentine's Day. I almost choked on my wine as my heart constricted.
Fucking Valentine's Day is in 5 days. Great, juuuuust great.
"Oh, Bella, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to start talking about that…"
Rosie and Alice looked at me with such pity and I hated it.
"Guys, come on. It's fine. Look, you two have boyfriends who are faithful and who love you. I am now single and I'm going to die alone with 60 cats. I've accepted my destiny."
"Bella," Alice started. "You will find someone who truly respects you and loves you. I just know deep down. Call it my gut feeling. You deserve the best and you will get it."
I looked down at my feet. I didn't really want to have the "Someone is going to love you some day" speech. Luckily, Rosie finished the food and we served ourselves and sat down. I ran over with them everything that had happened that day. From the moment I left the classroom to the moment my flat hand made contact with Jacob's smooth, tan cheek. Both Rosie and Alice gasped in fake, over-exaggerated horror. However, when I told them how long Jacob's affair had been going on, they were visibly upset.
"Are you fucking kidding me," Alice practically yelled.
"What a JACKASS," Rosie exclaimed.
I just shook my head in agreement. I mean, what else could I say? He was a jackass. I felt like an idiot because I dated an idiot. Thankfully, I had triple chocolate cake and Alice's quick wit to soothe my heartache. We ended up in a food coma, barely able to move from the table to the kitchen to clean. When we finally got everything put away, it was still relatively early. I, however, was exhausted from the last several days and the slapping event. I left them on the couch, blowing them a kiss as Alice playfully asked me for a rain check on "putting out." I laughed heartily and nodded.
Once I had showered quickly, put my pajamas on and got under the covers, I let my body sink into the mattress. I felt the weight of the day press down on me and all I wanted was sleep.
The next few weeks passed by rather quickly. I felt like I was on an emotional rollercoaster. Jacob still tried to contact me. When I didn't respond, he'd have Quill or Sam "accidentally" run into me to ask a bunch of questions about him. I could see through it all and blew them off. I felt bad because I had nothing against the guys, but they were supporting Jacob and had been supporting him while he cheated on me. The stupid "bro code" obviously didn't care about morals. Or people's feelings.
Speaking of feelings, Valentine's Day was awful. Rosie and Emmett went away for a night. He had gotten a luxury suite in down town and spoiled her with all the hotel spa amenities, a four star restaurant and top rated night club. Jasper took Alice wine tasting and then brought her back to the apartment he shared with Emmett for a roof top candlelight dinner, followed by "incredibly, dirty sex."
While my roommates were having an amazing, romantic night, I sat on the couch eating bon bons, a large Domino's pizza and watching He's Just Not That Into You. To say it was the worst Valentine's Day ever would be an understatement.
I ended February ten pounds thinner with permanent bags under my eyes and incredibly sexually frustrated. Rosie, Alice and I would usually go out at least twice a week to celebrate surviving college another week or simply celebrating that it was a Thursday, Friday or Saturday. However, since finding out about Jacob I just didn't want to go out and socialize. I didn't want to put myself out there. I didn't know how to be single after being with Jacob for so long. My reluctance for enjoying life started to worry Alice and Rosie. Over the weeks they had dropped subtle hints or bribes to get me to go out with them, but I wasn't interested. Normally I loved spending time with Rosie, Emmett, Alice and Jasper. Emmett was a huge guy that put Jacob's hard and muscled body to shame. He could make me laugh until I was doubling over and crying. Jasper had this really calming characteristic about him. He was soft spoken and gentle in nature with a wide smile. They were the perfect compliments to their other halves. We all had a great time together, but I was going to be the fifth wheel every time we'd go out. I wasn't ready for that.
As March began, Alice and Rosie were becoming more persistent in getting me to go out. Their insistence finally hit its peak the night before the one month anniversary of my heart break.
"Bella, look. We've sat back and watched you mope around this damn apartment for four fucking weeks now. We love you and we know you better than anyone. If you don't do anything tomorrow, you're going to end up in bed, crying your eyes out." I could tell Alice was barely keeping her anger in check. I knew I was frustrating her more and more.
"I agree with Alice, B. This is getting to be ridiculous. It's the last semester in your final year of college. What Jacob did was horrible, but you only get one life. You only have this time once. You need to live it up." Rosie stood next to Alice near the kitchen counter with her hands on her hips.
I looked up at them from the kitchen table. I was trying to do homework when they tried to host a social intervention with me. I had been caught off guard, but it wasn't like I wasn't expecting this.
"Fuck! FINE. I'm so tired of you guys asking me. I'll go out with you tomorrow night," I bit out at them. I didn't want to be acting like such a bitch, but I was so incredibly worn down by everything.
Alice squealed and clapped her hands together while Rosie smiled and quietly uttered "mission accomplished" to no one in particular. I took my computer, notebook and Lit book off the table and retreated to my room. I didn't want to be there as they reveled in their victory. After a few more hours of homework, I settled into bed. My final thought before I fell asleep was at least I didn't have to go to campus tomorrow and worry about running into Jacob or his friends.
The mornings I didn't have to wake up to my damn alarm clock beeping automatically set me in a good mood. I expected to feel that sharp pain in my chest or have difficulty breathing waking up on this day, like I had the days following my break up. Surprisingly, I didn't have any of that. In fact, I felt pretty damn good. I was actually excited to go out tonight. I was excited to act like I was a living person again.
While Alice and Rosie were at classes all day, I cleaned the apartment, went to the grocery store to pick up some vodka and chasers for the pre-game and did laundry. By the time Alice came home with a pizza for us, I had shaved, buffed, lathered my body in lotion and gave myself a manicure and pedicure.
"Oh damn girl, you're ready to go aren't you?"
I barely could understand her as she talked through her mouthful of pepperoni pizza.
"Oh girl, don't you know it." I said with a sly wink as I grabbed a piece of pizza and sat down at the table with her.
Rosie came in a half hour later, chowed down on two pieces of pizza and then went to go take a shower and get ready. Alice started to play bartender and made everyone vodka cranberries with twists of lime.
"Here you go, milady." Alice handed me my drink with a giant grin. I could tell she was incredibly excited that I was finally going out with them again. "Oh, and B. Wear that royal blue dress you have. Your boobs and ass look amazing in it."
She grabbed her drink and Rosie's and headed towards their bedroom doors. She stopped right outside of Rosie's, which was next to hers.
"ROSIE, MY LOVE. YOUR DRINK IS OUTSIDE YOUR ROOM. START DRINKING. WE'RE CELEBRATING BELLA'S RETURN TO SOCIETY TONIGHT!" She yelled as she placed the drink down by the door and went into her room to get ready.
I took a sip of the light red drink in my hand.
Holy fuck Alice. Strong, much?
Instead of a vodka cranberry, Alice had made me a vodka with a splash of cranberry juice and a twist of lime. Needless to say, I was getting drunk. I went to my room and put on "Sexyback" by Justin Timberlake. Because, let's be real, I was bringing sexy back tonight. Placing my drink on the floor by the full length mirror, I slid open my closet door and grazed my fingers across my dresses. I finally landed on the hanger that held the dress Alice was talking about. I had bought it over winter break when we went shopping for presents. Alice's rule for present shopping was "buy one present for the person, buy two for yourself." This rule was especially enforced when clothes were involved. She loved fashion and wanted to work for a designer after college.
The deep royal blue dress was paneled, like a Herve Leger design. The front was a deep V and created amazing cleavage I didn't normally have. It hugged every single curve of my body. When I had tried it on in the store Alice had insisted on me buying it. I wasn't used to something so tight, but I eventually relented after her multiple protests. I laid the dress on the bed and went to my dresser drawer where I pulled out my black lace thong. I didn't bother with a bra since it wasn't needed.
I slipped on my underwear and dragged the tight spanx-like dress up my body, zipping up it up on the side. As I stood in front of the mirror, I had to admit I looked good. My hair was full and loosely curled. My milky skin was highlighted by the color of the dress. I settled in front of the mirror and created a cat-eye with the black liquid liner. I applied bronzer and blush to my face, a couple of coats of mascara, and a pale pink lipstick. I downed the rest of my drink in two gulps. It burned my throat and I gagged for a few seconds after, but I needed to get this show on the road.
I met Alice and Rosie out in the kitchen. They were pouring another drink. Rosie's long, blonde hair was straight and incredibly shiny. Her hazel eyes were rimmed with black liner. She wore a wine colored tight dress with a sweetheart neckline. Like mine, it was short, tight and showed off all her curves. Her legs seemed like they went on for days. Alice's short black hair was straight as well and grazed her shoulders. Her long side bangs framed her heart-shaped face. She wore an emerald halter dress with a deep v neckline in the front and in the back. It wasn't tight like Rosie's or mine. But, it didn't lack sex appeal. Despite the shift dress shape, the amount of skin exposed made her a knock out. Overall, they both looked incredibly sexy.
"HOT DAMN BELLA!" Alice roared as she slammed her drink down on the counter.
Rosie's mouth fell open as my nude heels clicked against the hard wood floor.
"Holy shit," Rosie whispered.
"B, you look so damn good. Holy Hell. Jasper just texted me and said he will meet us there with Emmett. He tried to get his brother Mase to come out, but he won't come. Apparently he's a fucking hermit like you. Anyway, I told him to make him come to my birthday in two weeks. You guys will finally get to meet him then. I've only met him like two times after all these years because he's been living in fucking Alaska. Apparently he got some awesome internship at a hospital up there since their dad is a doctor, and couldn't come home a lot. Jasper's mom and dad have been pretty bummed, but now that he's so close they're happy. Jasper's ecstatic to have his brother back in town. AND! You'll finally get to meet him. I think he'd be good for you."
Alice took a long sip from her drink as I rolled my eyes.
Yeah, right. I can't even think about dating.
"OKAY girls. Let's do shots!" Rosie pulled out three shot glasses out of the cupboard as Alice finished her drink.
Shots were always bad news for me. I could place the blame of most my black outs on them. Rosie handed Alice and me a shot glass.
Here we go.
"I would like to propose a toast," Alice began. "To new beginnings, to new love and to have a fucking good time tonight!"
"Amen!" Rosie and I said in unison.
I raised my glass, closed my eyes and threw back my shot.
Let the night begin.