Another tasty chapter for you all to devour. Enjoy!

I woke up to the smell of hot food being wafted under nose.

Its delicious smell was really the only thing enticing me to wake up, for I surely could have stayed forever lying on these soft, silky sheets.

"Wake up, Bella dearest."

Esme.

"Mmhmm…"

I opened my eyes and saw Esme's darling face in front of me, holding a tray full of all sorts of delicious foods; bacon, eggs, toast, waffles, fruit, juice.

"Here, eat this and then go and get ready. Rosalie informs me you two are going to the salon?"

"Rosalie? I thought Alice would be coming with me?"

"Yes, well Alice had some things to tend to today, so Rosalie offered to go with you."

I took the tray from her and placed it in my lap, realising that I was actually in Alice and Jasper's room, not Edward's.

"What sort of things?" I was so curious. Alice never passed up an opportunity for a day out, especially when my appearance was at stake.

"Nothing to worry about, dear. You just eat up and have a fun day," she smiled at me, so genuine and warm. She patted my cheek like she usually did and left me to eat my breakfast.

I picked up a piece of toast and started to munch on it thoughtfully.

What was Alice doing that she'd miss out on this? Was she with Edward and Carlisle?

She's said last night she had something to do… something to attend to?

I couldn't remember, so I decided not to worry about it. Esme would have told me if it was urgent.

I continued eating as I let my mind wander to the other prospects the day had in store for me.

Like an entire day with Rosalie and me by ourselves.

I had to admit I was a little nervous, having only spent time with her in the company of others. I was also very excited though; perhaps Rose and I could be really close? And if Alice was going to continue acting weird then I needed a new female friend to help me with all the girl stuff.

I kept mulling over it all as I finished off my breakfast and got up. I wondered if Alice or Jasper would mind if I used their bathroom. Probably not.

I walked in and found a towel and an outfit laid out on their marble counter for me, with a note that read, 'your hair will look fantastic, Love Alice'

Well, that was reassuring. I wondered when she had wrote it; before she left? Or had she come back during the night?

I got in the shower and lathered up, washing my face, skin and hair with the various products Alice had in her shower. All bought probably for my use.

As I ran my fingers through my hair, I couldn't help but think about what it represented.

It represented Edward's Bella, at least to me. And even though I swear I wasn't out to 'reinvent' myself, I couldn't hang onto any part of me that I knew would remind me of him. I didn't want to continually question myself, 'would Edward approve of this? What would Edward think?'

I didn't know when I assigned my hair as 'Edward's' as I'd had it all my life. I think that was it though; it was a representation of my naivety, my life before Edward and as a result, everything that Edward had changed.

I had to stop myself before I got too raging feminist.

After all, I still did love Edward, just not in the same way. He was the doorway to many great people who I love and cherish. Who love and cherish me.

I realised that I hadn't seen Edward at all since yesterday morning and wondered if in fact he was with Alice. They were so close already, and I could only imagine what their recent love troubles were doing to them emotionally.

I used to think Alice was the person I was closest to, who I would spiel my long winded tails to and cry my eyes out on the shoulder of should I ever have the need. I knew it wasn't a competition, but I could never compete with Edward for her confidence. They understood each other in a way I never would. So who's confidant was I? Last night, Alice did open a little piece of her feelings to me that I hadn't yet seen, but even then she didn't give everything away.

I imagined that's what her and Edward were talking about now, if they were in fact together.

Carlisle probably knew everything too. He usually did.

I wondered where my place was in the family now. As the human pet? I wasn't close to any one person in particular, although Emmett was certainly my favourite person to hang out with.

If today proved successful, perhaps I could become close with Rosalie? Although she didn't seem quite as sympathetic as I'd like. There was always Jasper, who I'd already begun to crack the surface of. Plus, he came to my rescue last night in the playground which showed he at least thought of me as something more than a nuisance, otherwise he'd have just me in there.

Esme… she just wasn't down for all the random craziness I wanted now.

I thought of Edward… could he possibly provide me with what I needed as a friend better than he did a partner?

I laughed out loud; yeah, right.

All nice and clean, I got out of the shower and wrapped myself in a towel, leaving my hair to dry naturally. On the cabinet I also found a newly packeted toothbrush and toothpaste.

As crazy as Alice was sometimes, she sure was thorough.

As I brushed my teeth, I looked at the outfit Alice had picked for me. Dark blue skinny jeans and a black tank top with red flats.

That was two days in a row that Alice had picked a simple outfit for me, instead of the bells and whistles she usually made me where.

What was wrong her lately?

When I was finished getting ready I headed downstairs with my almost empty food tray to where Rosalie was waiting for me, picture perfect as always.

"You ready for a day of beautification?"

"Absolutely," I grinned, walking to the kitchen to put my tray in the sink.

"So, do you know what you want done?" Rose's voice was now behind me in the doorway of the kitchen

"I think so, I've been having a think about it and I hope it looks ok, Alice assures me it will."

"So are you going to tell me?"

"I want it to be a surprise," I teased, turning back around, poking my tongue out at her.

"But I know what would look great on you," she whined as she grabbed her car keys and we walked out the door.

"Yeah, but… I want this to be my choice, you know? I know it's silly, but these past few years I've barely been able to make a single decision surrounding my life and this is something that I finally get a say in."

Rosalie pondered what I'd said as we got into her Mercedes.

It started to drizzle rain, so Rosalie put the top up before we pulled out of the garage and out onto the road.

"I need to get something off my chest, Bella."

I blinked at her, "Umm, ok…"

She took a deep breath before continuing, "It's just, you know I've never been too fond of you. Even after I told you my story, you still didn't take my word for it. I just want to tell you that I respect you for breaking up with Edward. Even though you broke his heart and it was the happiest I'd ever seen him when he was with you, I knew it wasn't right. Everyone spoke about how you looked at him with goo-goo eyes and were madly in love, but for you it was a sad love. You'll probably tell me I'm wrong and that it was the happiest you'd ever been but I could see it. Your eyes would always tighten or your face would crumple up so many times, even after all the drama that was sorted. Just the wedding was making you sad and, as a strong advocate of women empowerment, I say kudos to you for doing what makes you happy and not someone else. I think I'm going to like you after all."

During the course of her speech, I felt tears well up in my eyes.

"Oh, Bella don't cry! I didn't want to get all lovey-dovey with you, it's just the truth."

I sniffled, "I know, and that's why it means so much to hear you say it."

She smiled at me and faced back to the road.

I was surprised at the conversation that unfolded with Rosalie; how insightful she was, how funny she was.

We didn't talk about anything of real substance, but it was small observations that made me appreciate how much of good person Rosalie actually was.

Edward had always assured me her head was filled of nothing but mean thoughts or were revolving around herself, but I didn't really believe him. When she talked about Emmett her eyes lit up and her smile broadened with the utmost pride, even though she constantly made fun of him. When she ridiculed Edward for being such a prude, I could still hear the respect in her voice for him remaining so diligent. I soon realised that what was often construed as mean and snarky, was just Rosalie's way of showing affection.

I had to remember that for anytime I felt insulted by her in the future.

We got into Port Angeles sooner than expected thanks to Rosalie's insane driving; she went faster than even Edward.

"So did Alice book anywhere for me?"

"Of course she did, Bella. We weren't just going to turn up anywhere. There is only one decent hair dresser in this area; it's who all the small town Forks hicks go to for their weddings and proms and such. Naturally we got you an appointment with him."

"Naturally," I laughed at the thought of Rosalie walking into a subpar salon; how ridiculous!

We drove around for a bit longer until we pulled up at a very clean, very modern looking building on one of the main streets.

It was bright white but without a speck of graffiti on it. The sign above the wide glass door read Ian Martin in a swirly, cursive font in blood red.

It was very visually dynamic for such a small building.

We got out of the car and I suddenly felt a little nervous. Was I really going to do this? I'd never dyed my hair, and only ever got it trimmed. Was Alice sure it would look ok? Her idea of good and my idea of good were usually on two totally different ends of the spectrum.

The nerves must have shown on my face because Rosalie tried to reassure me by saying, "If he fucks it up, I'll kill him."

Great.

As soon as we opened the door we were greeted by who I assumed was Ian, "Welcome! Do we have an appointment, ladies?"

"Of course, 10 o'clock for Bella Swan."

"Ah, yes. Please come this way."

The inside of the salon was simple yet eloquent, with lightly varnished wooden floors and solid black walls, contrasting the outside's white. There were four stations set up, each with a white counter top, mirror, black leather chair and various other bits and pieces. The whole place just screamed professionalism, not showiness. Ian himself didn't look like anything amazing either. He wore a simple, well fitted, white t-shirt with blue jeans torn once at the knee. He was probably about thirty and has a good, healthy tan to him with attractive facial features. His hair was brown and styled lightly with gel, his smile warm and friendly.

I could tell I would like him a lot.

"Well as you can see," Ian gestured to the empty salon as I sat down in the chair, "I'm not busy today. So I'll be able to devote all my time and attention to you."

I smiled as he whisked the black smock over me, the same red writing on the building printed on the front of it.

"So, Bella, have you put any thought into what you'd like done?"

"Well," how to put this? "I want to keep my length, but perhaps add some layers?"

"Long or short?"

"Uh, what's the difference between the two?"

"Well, long layers would begin being cut at about your jaw line, cascading down. Short layers would begin all the way up here," he gestured to the very top of my head. Yikes.

"Uh, long layers please. And I'd also like a fringe."

"Block or side?"

"Um, a straight one?"

"Block it is then. What about a colour?"

"I want red but… not red." I was starting to feel a bit like an idiot, but Ian was very understanding.

"Red but not red… so darker red with tones of purple throughout?"

"Purple!?"

I did not want purple hair.

"Hold on, let me get my book," Ian strode off into the backroom for a second and came back with a large white folder.

He flicked through several pages until he found the one he was looking for and brandished it in front of my face. There were little loops of hair all stuck to the pages, each organised in order of colour. There were hundreds of them with this particular page focusing on shades of darker red.

"I was thinking this one for you, a nice burgundy colour?" Ian pointed to a lovely shade of hair, the exact colour I had in mind.

Oh, he was good.

"That's perfect! Exactly what I had in mind!"

"Excellent, so if there are no other specifications then…" he looked at me and Rosalie, who was sitting on the chair next to me, "then we'll start with the colour."

Ian disappeared to the back room again to go retrieve what he needed.

"You're going to look fantastic," Rosalie said, smiling quite affectionately at me.

"You think so? It's not going to look stupid or anything?"

"No way, you totally got it right, the cut with your bone structure, and the colour with your skin; perfect."

I breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe I was better at this whole girly thing than I originally thought?

Ian came back in with a small black tool belt type thing around his hips, with scissors, combs and all sorts of other things in there. He also carried a small white dish with what looked like purple shampoo in it.

He set the dish down on a little tray on wheels he'd brought over and pulled all my hair over my shoulders, "You have such lovely, healthy hair. So rare these days."

I didn't know what to say so I just said nothing, as Ian took several large clips and began sorting my hair into pieces, clipping then into place.

It was when I felt the cold brush hit my scalp that I closed my eyes. There it was; the first part of my brown hair gone. The dye sunk in and I felt the brush spreading it out over the pieces of hair till it was all covered. I opened my eyes to see Ian dipping his brush back into the purple dye. I hoped it would all turn out ok.

I got a little panicky when Ian moved to the front of my head and I could actually see it staining my hair. But when he was finally finished I couldn't help but giggle at how silly I looked, with this dark mop of hair all piled onto my head.

Ian walked away and got a large contraption out of the back room. He plugged it into a socket and put the dome bit over my head. I felt the heat of it on my scalp.

"If it starts to burn, let me know. Now we just wait for about half an hour and then we'll start the cut."

In the half an hour that passed, Ian received another customer; an elderly lady who wanted her hair trimmed. I was a little bit annoyed when I saw that the kind demeanour Ian had was bestowed upon all of his customers, and not just me. He really was a professional.

Rose and I read magazines, chatted here and there about the trashy tabloids we were reading.

Half an hour passed quickly and as soon as the other customer paid and left, Ian walked back over to me, "Ok, let's rinse it out."

When he pulled the dome off my head, I couldn't spot any difference than to when he first put it on.

I wondered if it had even worked.

I was led over to one of the four basins at the back of the room and sat down in the chair. I'd never had to have my hair washed by the hairdresser, I only ever got trims before. Ian washed my hair out in the most pleasurable way possible; digging his fingers firmly, but still gently into my scalp and massaging as he rinsed out the dye. I closed my eyes and let the perfectly warm water wash the sides of my face, relishing in the feeling of total peace and serenity.

When Ian motioned for me to sit up I was a little disappointed, wanting the head massage to go on forever. He quickly ran a towel over my wet hair and I went to go sit back down in my previous chair.

"Oh… my… God…" my eyes were bugged out of their head; this was nothing like the colour I'd chosen!

"Don't worry, Bella," Ian came back over to stand behind my chair, "it only looks black because it's wet. It'll lighten once I blow dry it."

He gave me a smile and I felt reassured, although a little silly too for not realising that myself.

"Now, the fun bit," Ian grinned as he produced a small, silver pair of scissors.

I tried not to gulp too loudly, but I think he still heard me.

When he cut the first piece of hair away I shut my eyes; I just couldn't watch my hair being hacked away at. I didn't know why today getting my hair cut seemed like such a huge deal, especially after I dyed it. I suppose it was something about the symbolism; watching Edward's and my relationship being chopped swiftly away.

"Bella, keep your eyes closed! I want you to be surprised!" came Rose's voice from my left.

I decided to oblige; keeping my eyes shut was easier anyway.

I felt the scissors move all throughout my hair, finally making their way around to the front. It tickled when my fringe was cut, the stray hairs landing on the tip of my nose.

"Looking good," I heard Ian say, and I hoped he was right.

"Excuse me, Ian, could you dry and straighten it? And do you mind if I give her a little makeover of my own while you do it?"

"What are you talking about Rose?" Even I heard the terror in my voice.

"Oh, relax, I just want to put a little makeup on you."

"How much is a little?"

"Just some eyeliner, mascara and lip-gloss. Nothing too scary, I promise."

I groaned but allowed it. If I was already here, why not?

I felt Rose shuffle in front of me so she was blocking the mirror, and heard the blow dryer being turned on.

"You cannot look, understand me? Only open your eyes when I tell you to," she commanded, and I felt the hot air on my hair.

I kept my eyes shut most of the time, as she ran what felt like a thin line over my top lid. She applied the lip-gloss and told me to open my eyes. She held back my fringe with one hand so I couldn't see the colour and skilfully applied mascara with the other.

My hair felt completely dry now and Ian had moved in with the straightener, dragging it through the hair.

"Close your eyes again, and don't open them until it's all straightened!"

I obeyed her orders and shut them, trying not to squeeze too tight and smear eye makeup all over my cheeks.

When Ian straightened my fringe, I could feel the heat right in front of my face. It was a bit scary with my eyes closed, but I trusted Ian.

"Annnnd now…" he pulled the straightener one last time over my hair, "we're done!"

I didn't open my eyes though, "Are you sure? How does it look?"

"Incredible," I heard from Ian.

"Absolutely stunning," Said Rose, whose cold hands I could feel on my shoulders from behind me.

I took a deep breath and exhaled. This was it; this was Bella Swan. Not Bella, the gorgeous Edward Cullen's fiancé.

But a Bella who made her own decisions, and didn't have to be babied or lied to so that she was protected. A Bella of possibilities instead of limitations.

I slowly opened my eyes to meet the girl who'd just spent two hours in the hairdresser's chair.

When I did meet her, I was amazed.

As soon as I looked in the mirror I didn't know what else to feel.

Was this me? Truly 100% Bella Swan?

Not even when Alice gave me her makeovers did I come out looking even half as good as this. Yes, I could say it; I looked good. Damn good at that too.

The cut was perfect, with the fringe complimenting my heart shaped face, and the red-purple tones giving my skin a somewhat lunar glow. The layers also made my hair look longer and my face older.

And Rosalie's make up; wow. It wasn't like I'd never worn makeup, but with my new hair it all just looked so different. The basic black eyeliner and mascara was all I needed to look fierce and sexy, with the clear lip-gloss adding just that extra hint of pout.

I couldn't even believe it.

"So, what do you think?" Ian said a little nervously, as I hadn't yet said anything.

"Do you like it, Bella?" Rose asked tentatively.

I just stared at myself a little longer before finally answering, "I love it."

So what do we think of the new looking Bella? A bit more fierce than the sweet little old Bella we once knew? If you want to see my take on what I think Bella's new look is, head on over to my profile for a picture of her exact new hair colour and cut. Listen, I know exactly how many emails I have received saying, '____ has added this story to their story alert/favourite stories' and it's mighty flattering as I've been overwhelmed by the amount of people doing so. However I'd really appreciate reviews, and I'd love you to tell me exactly what you think, be it good or bad. Even if you picked up on a typo or something. I just love to hear from you guys. I'd say you can expect the next chapter probably in about two or three days, as I've got work and some stuff planned for the weekend. Love you all, thanks for the support.