After finally pulling myself up off the floor, I cleaned up my face and reapplied make up. I changed into dark skinny jeans and a grey t-shirt. Pulled on socks and vans. Grabbed my purse and walked out the door.

As I reached the lobby of my apartment building, I put on my sunglasses and made my way to the closest Verizon store. It was just around the block so I would just walk. Walking could probably do me some good. My head was spinning with the day's events.

I shouldn't have hung up on Kale, but I just can't talk about it. How was I supposed to anyone, let alone my brother, that I haven't talked to Jake for months and that Jake's best friend was obsessed with me? That he was making advances on me? And even though nothing really happened, he told everyone that we'd been together? How was I supposed to tell my brother that? When even my own friends didn't believe me.

Jake went off to Europe to work for his dad a year ago. His dad owns a big steel machinery business and they do a lot of work with Switzerland and Germany. Jake was in line to take over his dad's business. We had dated the last year and a half of high school and I thought we were on track for marriage. We talked about it. But Jake always put it off. And then this huge opportunity came to go over to Europe and he couldn't turn it down. We kept in touch the first 6 months with phone calls and skype. He never came home for Christmas though. Instead his family went there and spent the holidays. After the holidays though, the phone calls started to dwindle. And then one day, they just stopped. He never took any of mine and I never received any either. I haven't heard from him since. A month later, my parents died.

I guess I can't blame our relationship ending because of his best friend, but I have no idea what happened. I don't even know if he knows.

But what I do know is that in the past 5 months, I have remembered and heard so much about our relationship. How could I have been so blind? He treated me like a much attested object rather than someone he supposedly loved. His parents hated me, which he never stood up for me with them. He talked about me as a stupid, spoiled, rich girl that didn't matter. He acted as though he was single; treating every girl he came in contact with as special as I wish he had treated me. I was nothing more than a piece of ass and he made that perfectly clear on more than one occasion. And I was blind to it all. I was completely and utterly stupid. I fell in love with a man that couldn't care less about me. He deserted me. He deserted me when I needed him most. And I was stupid enough to think he cared.

As I reached the Verizon store, it had started to rain. I hurried in and the salesman pounced on me at once. I told him what I needed and he got me in and out in a matter of 30 minutes.

It was nearly 5:00, and I was starving. As I walked out into the rain, I turned right and walked straight into someone. My eyes darted to the ground, not wanting to make eye contact. I saw a box on the ground that the person must've dropped after I had smashed it…great.

"I am so sorry…" I started.

"Bella?" a voice sung.

I looked up and saw it was Rosalie Hale; wearing black pencil skirt, a cream lace top, heels, and had her hair flowing perfectly.

You have got to be kidding me. Of course I run into her and ruin her box and whatever is in it.

"Hi…" I bent down to pick up the box. It read "Sue's Bakery" on the top. I totally ruined whatever bake goods were in here.

"How are you, Bella?" she asked, not even worried about the mystery baked goods. "Here get under the umbrella! You are soaking wet!"

When I didn't move she moved forward and put it over the two of us.

I looked down at the box and said, "I'm so sorry…I totally ruined whatever was in here."

She smiled and lifted a hand stopping me, "Bella. It's fine. It's just a cake. I can go get another one. Are you okay?"

"Yeah…I'm fine." I replied. "I can pay for it. Please, let me pay for it."

She smirked and thought for a second. "Okay, but…on one condition."

"Name it."

"What are your plans tonight?" she asked.

"Uh…I don't have any."

"Will you come with me then to this little get together?"

"…I don't want to impose…" I started.

She cut me off, "you wouldn't be!"

"I'm not really dressed for a nice occasion…" I said as I was again taking in her outfit.

She noticed what I was meaning, "No, Bella, I just got off work and was on my way there. I'll be the one over dressed. Please?"

"Uh…" I looked around and ran my hand through my hair. "K."

Rosalie smiled and we walked up the street to the bakery that she had just come from. We walked in the doors and out of the rain. It smelt heavenly! There were cakes and treats all on display and ready for the taking. A woman walked in from the back when she had heard the chime of the door. She was about 60 years old and she looked as nice as could be. She had flour in her hair and on her shirt. She was grinning from ear to ear. "Back already?" She asked excitedly.

"I am such a klutz and totally ruined the cake, ma'am. I was wondering if would be possible to get another cake?" Rosalie asked while holding up the box.

"Oh dear, yes of course you can Miss Hale. Not a worry, not a worry!" She replied and went into the back really quick. She emerged with a gorgeous German chocolate cake. "Now don't you worry, this one is on the house!"

"Are you sure?" asked Rosalie.

"Definitely! Accidents do happen!" She replied with a huge smile on her face.

"Oh, thank you so much."

After the cake was put in a box, we emerged back into the rain. Rosalie opened the umbrella and covered the both of us. We walked in silence for a few seconds until finally Rosalie broke it.

"So what were you doing before we ran into each other?" she asked.

"I...uh…my phone broke. So I had to go buy a new one." I replied.

"Oh I hate when that happens. How'd it break?"

"It…fell."

"Well at least it's fixed now." She paused. "I'm glad I ran into you though." She said with a smile.

I laughed, "really? Why?"

She smiled and laughed for a beat. "Never mind. I'm just glad you agreed to come." She looked at me and smiled. I knew she meant it. "The restaurant is just right there." She pointed to a building that I then recognized the sign as a well-known Italian place. We paused in front of it and I gave her a questioning glance.

"You never did tell me what we are doing…"

She looked as if I had caught her red handed. "Yeah…it's kind of a dinner party. A dinner…birthday party."

My eyes got big.

"No, it's okay Bella! It'll be fine that you are coming! More than fine! Please come. You can leave at any time, I promise." She said really fast.

Just as she finished, the door to the restaurant opened and out emerged Emmett Cullen from my Human Development class. He saw Rosalie and his lips formed an instantaneous smile. He was wearing dark jeans and a red polo shirt.

Rosalie turned as the door opened and saw it was Emmett. "Hi," she said with an excitement. She turned to me and said, "Bella, this is Emmett, my fiancé. Emmett this is Bella."

Emmett chuckled and put his arm around Rosalie, "we've already met Rose. Hi Bella, nice to see you again."

"Hi," I said quietly but with a smile. Emmett was…easy. He shined with happiness. I couldn't help but smile.

"How do you two know each other?" Rosalie asked.

We both answered "Human Development" at the same time, and that made Emmett chuckle and Rosalie smile.

"Well ladies, shall we go in?" Emmett asked as he opened the door for us. Yeah, a real class clown and I couldn't help but like him. Rosalie cupped my arm and we walked through together with Emmett tailing behind us. "Back left corner booth," he directed. Rose steered me the right way to the back of the room, and when we came into sight of the table I noticed three other people sitting there. As we neared closer I recognized two of them; Alice Cullen and Jasper from my Psychology class. The other person, a young man with perfectly untidy bronze hair, great bone structure, and green eyes, I had no clue to who he was. But whoever he was I couldn't take my eyes off of him. From what I could see he was wearing a forest green v-neck. I found myself holding my breath as we approached the table. The three of them looked up to see us standing there. Alice beamed with excitement and exclaimed, "Bella!" Jasper also smiled and waved as he greeted me with a hello. Rosalie looked from me to the both of them, back and forth, with clear confusion written all over her face. "…How do…" she stared to ask but Alice jumped in and answered before she could finish, "We have human development together with Emmett. And Jazz has Psychology with Bella."

Emmett chuckled from behind us, "what are the odds?"

Rosalie then said with a laugh, "well I guess I only need to introduce you to one person then. Bella, this is Edward. He's Alice and Emmett's brother."

He smiled a crooked smile and it made my stomach tighten. "Nice to meet you, Bella."

"You, too." I replied back with a smile that I couldn't help.

"Well now that all the pleasantries are out of the way, why don't we sit down." implied Emmett.

He ushered me into the booth, Rosalie followed me in, and then him. I sat directly across from Edward, then Alice was next to him, and then Jasper.

Edward slid me his menu and I smiled a thank you but my eyes went straight to the menu, staring a hole right through as the blush started creeping into my cheeks.

"Rose, how do you know Bella?" asked Jasper.

"We have history together. And we ran into each other on my way here," she smiled at this part and then continued, "and I invited her to come along. Practically had to beg her though."

"I am sorry I'm crashing your party."

Alice spoke up first, "crashing? Are you kidding me? This is a great surprise! I'm so glad you came!"

I couldn't help but smile at her pure excitement that I was there. It was very complimentary and welcoming.

"So it's your birthday?" I asked Alice.

"Yes. Well, tomorrow. This is an early birthday dinner for Edward and me." She nodded toward Edward. "Edward and I are twins."

"And Emmett…" I started to ask.

"Older brother," Emmett answered proudly.

"What's the age difference?"

"Two and a half years," answered Alice.

"I'm 23." Emmett clarified.

"So you're turning 21 tomorrow?" I asked Alice and Edward. They nodded. "Big birthday."

"Yup, they grow up so fast." Emmett joked.

We all chuckled and my eyes met Edward's. They held me for a beat, not letting me go. The waitress interrupted the moment and my eyes quickly shifted to the menu. But I could still feel his eyes on me.

"Good evening, my name is Jessica. I'll be your waitress tonight. Can I start you off with some drinks, or are you ready to order?"

We all mumbled we were ready, and then preceded in relaying what we wanted.

She flirted and lingered a little longer on Edward than necessary, which was annoying, but who wouldn't? He didn't seem to notice and just gave her his order.

I continued staring a hole in the table.

"So Bella, what are you majoring in?" asked Jasper.

I glanced up to answer Jasper, "I'm splitting my degree in psychology and business."

"How much longer do you have?" asked Edward. I didn't expect him to be talking, and when I looked at him he seemed to be concentrating solely on me.

It took me a second to regain consciousness and replied, "I should be finished this semester."

Edward's eyes held mine even when Alice exclaimed, "really? Us too! We'll have to have a party!"

Right then Jessica walked up, but still Edward and I were in a trance. "Alright, I've got a six waters." He smiled and then broke our eye contact, releasing me to go back staring at the table and to be able to breathe. He grabbed two of the waters and set one down in front of me. I glanced up and smiled quickly, then resumed staring at the table. Jessica left our table and went back to the kitchen.

I sat listening to their conversations, which consisted of weather, sports, fashion, movies, etc. I chuckled a couple of times. They were really easy to be around and never made me feel unwelcome. I kept my eyes away from Edward, but I could feel when he was looking at me.

Jessica returned back with our food and divvied out which dish belonged to who. Then she turned on her heel and walked back into the kitchen.

We all ate in silence for a minute, but then conversation picked up again and was as easy as before. I sat and listened. Laughed when things were funny. It was surprising but I wasn't trying…I was truly enjoying myself. Other than feeling totally self-conscious with Edward in front of me, I couldn't feel more at ease.

As we all finished with our dishes, Rosalie cleared room and put the glorious German chocolate cake on the table in front of Edward and Alice.

"I know your birthday isn't till tomorrow, but I wanted to get a cake for the two of you that will suffice until tomorrow." Rosalie explained.

"Aw…thank you Rose! That was so nice of you!" gushed Alice.

"Yes, thank you very much, Rose," agreed Edward.

"Well, you also have Bella to thank," Rosalie started with a smile. "She helped."

Blush started to form as Alice exclaimed a thank you and I stole a glance at Edward and he smiled. A grin broke out and I couldn't stop it. I hurried and looked at Rose. She gave me a reassuring smile.

Emmett started applying the candles. Jessica passed by then and noticed what was going on. She hurried and cleared away the dirty plates, then hurrying back with clean ones and a lighter. Emmett lit the candles and then handed it back to her. She stood there awkwardly for a moment and then disappeared again. Emmett, Jasper, and Rosalie started singing happy birthday. It took me a second but I joined in. When the song finished, Edward and Alice blew out the candles together. The four of us clapped and Rosalie began cutting the cake.

After eating majority of the cake, Jessica came back to the table. "I hope everything was wonderful. Mario wanted me to let you know that he remembers your parents and wanted me to welcome you home. Dinner is on the house. Thank you for coming in tonight! Happy birthday! Have a wonderful night!" She said as she awkwardly handed a napkin to Edward, who was in the back of the booth. Then she hurried away.

Edward opened the napkin, glanced up, and then set the napkin on top of his plate.

Emmett started to laugh, "got a number, Eddie?"

Edward glanced at me and then back at Emmett, "let's just go."

"You got it, Romeo." Emmett winked.

We scooted out of the booths and worked our way out of the restaurant.

As we walked out into the drizzling rain, an umbrella opened up above my head. I looked behind me to see who it was, and it was Edward. He smiled, and I smiled back but hurriedly looked away, failing at not letting him see the blush creeping into my cheeks.

"Emmett, my car is just up the street by Sue's Bakery, do you want to walk with me and then we could give Bella a ride home?" Rosalie asked Emmett, looking at me for reassurance that that was okay.

"Oh no that's okay I just live a couple blocks away…" I started but Emmett cut me off.

"No, Bella, we'd be more than happy too!" Emmett said with a grin.

"Alright…" I could tell they wouldn't be taking no for an answer.

Alice flitted over to me and gave me a hug exclaiming, "thank you so much for coming Bella!" I didn't have time to hug her back before she quickly stepped back. "Bella! You have to come tomorrow night!"

My face must have been pure confusion for Rosalie stepped in, "tomorrow night, their parents are having a dinner for Edward and Alice's birthday. You should come! I can even come pick you up."

"No…I'd feel horrible…really…" I shook my head.

"Please, Bella! You wouldn't be imposing at all. Please?" Alice pleaded.

I hesitated but finally agreed, which Alice squealed in delight and hugged me again. "I'm going to hurry and go before you change your mind!" She stepped back with a huge grin, waved, and turned grabbing Jasper's hand. Jasper waved and turned with her, making there way towards the parking lot. Edward looked as though he was stuck between two decisions but then finally said, "It was nice meeting you, Bella. See you tomorrow," and ran after Alice and Jasper.

Emmett placed a hand on my shoulder and chuckled, "you'll get used to her."

We all laughed and turned to make our way back up the road. Emmett and Rosalie hand in hand, with Emmett's other hand carrying the umbrella. Rosalie handed me hers, seeing that it was really hard to fit three under one, especially one Emmett's size.

"So you guys just moved here, right?" I asked.

"Yeah, we moved from San Francisco. We used to live here about twelve years ago, but we don't really remember much." Emmett replied.

"Oh, nice…how come you moved back?"

"My dad got offered a job up here. My parents always regretted leaving Seattle. Don't get me wrong, we love San Francisco and great things happened there. But it was never really…home. Ya know?" Emmett explained.

We walked a couple more yards before I spoke again.

"What does your dad do?"

"He's a surgeon. He'll never admit it, but he's actually the best surgeon on the west coast. That's why we moved to San Francisco. They wanted him and they got him."

"Politics?"

Emmett smirked and asked, "How'd you know?"

My father's voice replayed in my head of a phrase he'd say: politics is in everything. I hesitated. "Lucky guess…"

I knew they didn't believe me, but they didn't question me.

We arrived at the parking lot behind Sue's Bakery in that moment and they started towards a red BMW M3 Convertible. The M3 is recognized as one of the best all-around sports cars in the world, and of course Rosalie Hale drove one. She handed the keys to Emmett, and he unlocked it. He came around to the passenger side and opened both doors for us at the same time, allowing us to scoot in and then closing them behind us. He walked around and got into the driver's seat.

"Nice car," I complimented.

Rosalie turned in her seat and smiled, "thanks."

Emmett started the car and I gave the directions back to my apartment building. It really wasn't that far so there wasn't much conversation time.

We arrived; I unbuckled my seat belt and I went to pull the door handle, "thank you for the ride, and for dinner."

"Thank you, Bella for coming! I'm glad we 'ran' into each other," Rosalie smiled. "You know we were serious about you coming tomorrow. Can I see your phone?" she asked.

I handed her my phone and she used it to call hers. "There! I'll talk to you tomorrow. But just be ready around 5."

"Okay. Thanks again. Goodnight." I said as I opened the door and exited the car.

"Goodnight," they called out in unison.

I shut the door to the car and walked up to the building doors. As I opened them, I heard the car drive off.

I made my way to the elevator and then eventually found myself at my door. I unlocked it and went inside.

What a day. But even though it was all over the place, I felt it ended on a good note. I had a lot of fun with the Cullens. They are extremely nice and welcoming. And every single one of them is good looking, even their significant others. Well I guess beauty attracts beauty. But what made them even more appealing was the fact that they didn't care. The waitress obviously gave Edward her number, but he was more embarrassed about it than anything.

As I changed into pajamas and washed my face, my mind kept returning back to Edward. He is definitely attractive. He seemed nice and respectful. I was more than aware of his gaze and how his eyes had captured me. But I couldn't help it, and I didn't know if I wanted to. But how could someone like Edward ever be interested in a person like me. Things like that only happen in movies and fairy tales.

As I closed my eyes that night, all I could see was him.