A/N- A huge thank you to my prereaders and my beta who said, and I quote, "You had to leave it at a cliffhanger, didn't you?" Yeah, I did.

I don't own the original characters or any of the awesome 80's references…and believe me, one of them in particular is totally awesome.

Chapter 7
Girls Just Want to Have Fun

I pulled into the school parking lot Friday morning to see it buzzing with blue and orange everywhere. It was game day and school pride was evident in the football jerseys worn by the football players, the cheerleading uniforms, and the other students proudly displaying their school shirts.

My usual parking space was vacant so I pulled in not realizing that Jacob was standing against his own car waiting for me. I grumbled to myself as I gathered my things and exited my car.

I would have been content enough to walk right past him but his body language told me that he wasn't going to let that happen.

"Is there something I can help you with?" I asked in an irritated voice.

"Bella, I just wanted to let you know that I forgive you for the way you yelled at me yesterday outside the lunch room."

I looked at him in utter shock. My mouth was open and I knew my eyes were bulging out of my head.

"You forgive me?" I asked him.

"Yeah, I do. I know that you've been in a mood these last few days so I'm just going to chalk it up to that." He gave me a lazy grin as if with that one act I would accept his peace offering. If that was what he was trying to do.

I could have played this out one of two ways. I could have called him out and ruined the good mood I was sporting or I could be the bigger person and walk away. I chose the latter.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head, walking past him. My shoulder bumped his arm as I walked away. I couldn't believe him. He forgave me! Like I needed his forgiveness. I had kind of hoped that he would have taken the hint and left me alone but I should have known better. Jacob was a stubborn man. Hell, I had been married to him for seventeen years. He always seemed to think things should go his way. Well, not in this life. Not in my do over.

As I walked further away, I could hear him call out behind me. "Okay babe, I'll see you at the game tonight. Look pretty for me."

"Asshole," I muttered under my breath as I entered the school.

The day progressed without any further distractions by Jacob. Then again, I didn't have to see him during lunch, even though I did see Lauren. Because of the game tonight, our last period was scheduled to be a pep rally. During lunch, the football players had been helping the cheerleaders decorate the gym and go over final details of the rally.

I talked with Angela for the most part, but occasionally Lauren or Jessica would jump in with comments. I tried to be as nice as possible so that I could live up to my new mantra but it was proving to be difficult.

Edward and I rarely spoke in biology. Mr. Banner droned on and on about our newest topic so the majority of our hour was spent taking notes. I wanted to ask him if he had given any thought to coming to the concert tonight but thought better of it. Sure I wanted to spend time with him and get to know him, but I didn't want to come across as too easy.

We parted ways after saying quick good-byes at the door. I walked toward the gym. As I opened the doors, I saw that the place was decorated with blue and orange balloons and chairs were lined up on one end for the football team. I went to walk in but stopped short when I heard my name being called out.

I turned around and saw Rosalie walking toward me. I let the door go with my hand and smiled walking toward her.

"Hey," I said brightly.

"Hey. You sticking around for the pep rally?" she questioned.

"I'd rather not. You?"

"No, I was thinking about skipping. I mean, it's last period and it's not like I really have class right now. You wanna come?"

I thought for a moment. Did I? Hell yes I did. "Lead the way."

We walked to my car talking about the upcoming night when I saw Alice out of the corner of my eye.

"Hey, Rosalie, hang on one second. Hey Alice," I yelled out. She stopped and turned to glare at me. "You skipping too?"

"Yeah. What's it to you?" she asked in a defensive tone.

"Nothing, just thought maybe you'd like to catch a ride with me and Rosalie. But you know, if you'd rather walk, that's cool too."

"What are you doing, Bella?" Rosalie asked me as Alice began to walk over to us.

"Trying to be nice. I see this girl walking home every day and every day I try and give her a lift. I mean, we're all skipping, might as well make this a group adventure."

Alice approached us hesitantly. "Why do you always offer me a ride home?" she asked cocking her head to one side.

I shrugged. "I don't know. Because I'm trying to be nice."

"Why? You've never been nice. Come to think of it, I don't think you even knew I existed before this past week."

"So people can't change?" I asked her trying to hide my anger. What was it with everyone being so simple minded?

The three of us stood around my car in relative silence for a few minutes. I wasn't sure what she was contemplating and it wasn't like Rosalie and I were in any sort of hurry so sitting back and waiting was about all we could do.

Finally, Alice spoke. "If I finally let you drive me home, will you stop asking?"

I smiled, grinning from ear to ear. "No, probably not. Now get in."

I held the car door open and her tiny little frame crawled in the back seat. We decided instead of going straight home that we'd go to the diner not far from school to grab a quick bite to eat. While we were sitting at the booth, Rosalie started talking about the concert again.

"What are you going to wear?" she asked me.

"I don't know. Hey!" I said in an excited tone. "Maybe you could come over early and help me get ready?"

"Totally," Rosalie nodded.

"Are you two going to the Hole concert at Whiskey Tango?" Alice asked.

"Yeah, you know them?" I asked.

"Um, yeah, I know them. I'm actually going too."

"You are?" Rosalie and I said at the same time. Alice nodded.

"We should all three go together," I said brightly. "And maybe afterwards we could all sleepover at my place."

"Will your parents mind?" Alice asked.

"No, they'll be totally cool with it. Come on? What do you say? A girls night just the three of us?"

They both agreed to my plan and we spent the rest of our late afternoon lunch/dinner talking about the concert and the music, what we were going to wear and of course, all the things we could do tonight at my house. It was actually kind of funny to me. I had been friends, or aquaintances with Lauren and Jessica, even Angela, for four years. Never in all of those four years did I remember sitting around giggling and planning silly things to do at a sleepover. Come to think of it, I don't think the three of us had ever even had a sleepover with each other.

For the first time, in all of my life, I actually felt like maybe I was making friends, true friends that would be there when I needed them. I knew it was a little premature to think along those lines, but it was a starting point and if tonight's plans were any indications, things were definitely starting to look up for me.

I dropped both girls off at their homes before driving to mine. Rosalie had said she would swing by and pick Alice up on the way to get ready at my house. They would have gone straight home with me, but they both needed to tell their parents what they were doing for the night, as well as grab a bag to stay over.

I walked in the house, smiling and greeting my mother in a chipper tone.

"What's got you all in a good mood?" she asked, wiping down her hands on the front of her apron.

"I have plans with a couple of girls tonight from school," I answered.

"Oh yeah?" my mom asked, quirking an eye. "Lauren and Jessica?"

"Ugh, no. Rosalie Hale and Alice Brandon. If it's alright with you, they're just going to stay the night."

"Honey, I'm so proud of you." My mom cleared the length of the kitchen and wrapped her arms around me.

"For what?" I stammered out.

"For branching out. I'm glad to see you getting to know other girls in your class. Not that there is anything wrong with Lauren or Jessica, per say..."

"They're bitches mom," I said flatly.

"Language, young lady. But...yes, to be frank, they are."

We grinned at one another before I divulged our plans for the evening.

"As long as you girls are safe," my mother said as I ran up the stairs to my room.

"We will be," I hollered back.

An hour later, Rosalie and Alice showed up and my mother quickly ushered them up the stairs to my room.

"Your mom seems super sweet," Rosalie said as she took in the decor of my room.

"Yeah," I said with a sad smile. "She is. Okay, so what do we do?" I asked both of the girls. They exchanged glances at one another that told me instantly they had no idea what I meant.

"What do you mean? Have you not ever had a sleepover before?" Alice asked.

"No, I mean, I guess not."

"Really?" Rosalie asked. "I just kind of figured you and Lauren and Jessica, hell even Angela, had done this bunches of times."

I shook my head. It was true that I had never really had a girls night that included the typical things that took place in high school. Most of the time, we hung out at the football games or at someone's house. Never did we really just bond over cheesy movies or girl talk.

Rosalie clapped her hands together and Alice smiled brightly. "This is going to be so much fun then!" Rosalie cried. "Okay, first things first, let's look at what we're each wearing."

Rosalie and Alice rummaged through their bags while I opened my closet door and stood in front of it, debating on what I should wear. I began to lightly finger the shirts and various skirts that were hanging up when I heard a gasp from behind me. I spun around to see what was going on. When I saw the tight, barely there acid wash blue jean dress Rosalie had in her hands, my own gasp matched Alice's.

"Hot right?" she asked beaming.

I was at a loss for words. I mean we were high school seniors and yet that outfit was fit for some sort of super model or better yet, a rock video.

When I finally found my voice I croaked out, "Yeah, that's pretty hot."

"I know! I mean, when I found this at the mall I just had to have it. I wasn't sure where I would ever wear it, because let's face it, this isn't the type of thing you'd wear to school but I knew I couldn't pass it up."

I quickly learned that when Rosalie got excited about something, her words flowed out of her mouth like water. Not that I was complaining, it was just a nice diversion to how I had always perceived her.

"What about you Alice? What are you wearing?" I asked.

"It's no body hugging dress like Rosalie's, that's for sure." She pulled out a simple black lace skirt and a pair of neon green tights from her bag. The shirt she paired it with was also black with green stripes. Of course, the look wouldn't have been complete with out her signature Doc Martens.

"That's cute," I gushed because it really was. Rosalie nodded her approval as well while Alice pulled out a headband with a green flower attached to it. It really did add to the outfit and make it look girly almost.

"Okay, Bella," Rosalie said to me. "What about you?"

"Um," I said redirecting my attention back to my closet. "I really have no idea."

"Let me see," she said, marching over and standing next to me. "This is cute." She held up a white lace top and then pulled out a pair of tight fitting acid wash blue jeans that had a zipper that ran down the back of the leg. "Now, the shoes." She tapped her finger against her chin and bent down inspecting my shoes that lined the bottom of the closet. "Ah ha! These would go excellent with that outfit."

She thrust a pair of white pumps into my hands and stood up smiling. I had to smile back because she was right. This outfit was...excellent.

We each took turns getting dressed in the bathroom before regrouping in my room for hair and makeup. Rosalie took over on the hair end, teasing all of our hair and spraying at least an entire can of Aqua Net. I was certain that if a match were to be lit within my room the place would go up in flames in a matter of seconds.

Alice and I played around with each others makeup while Rosalie did her own. Blue eye shadow and pink shimmery lip-gloss were expertly applied to both of our faces. When we finished, the three of us stepped back to admire the other.

"If I do say so myself, we are some hot chicks," Rosalie said, holding her hands on her hips.

We all three erupted in a fit of laughter before grabbing our purses and setting off downstairs.

It was after six when we descended into the living room. My mom was on the sofa doing a crossword puzzle while my dad was in the recliner watching the six o'clock news.

My mom's head snapped up when she saw the three of us enter into the room. She smiled and ooh and aahh'ed at us, making us giggle even more so.

"Don't you girls look pretty? Charlie, go grab my camera from the closet. I want to take a picture of them before they leave."

"Mom," I whined even though I was secretly glad that she wanted to snap the moment with her camera.

"Oh, don't mom me. You girls look pretty and I want you to remember this night."

My dad walked back in and handed my mom the camera then did a double take when he saw us standing there.

"You three going to the game looking like that?" he asked with a frown.

"Who said anything about a game? We're going to a concert at the Whiskey Tango."

"The whiskey who go?" he asked. Of course, his question only cued laughter from Rosalie and Alice.

"Dad, the Whiskey Tango. It's a small club that hosts up and coming bands. It's totally innocent. Promise. Oh and by the way, this is Rosalie and Alice. They're staying over tonight."

He ran his hand through his hair before resting it on the back of his neck. "Alright," he said in a tone that indicated that he wasn't going to fight us on the matter. "What about Jacob though? Isn't the game tonight?"

I rolled my eyes. "Dad, Jacob can go crawl under a rock for all I care."

It didn't go unnoticed by me the small smile that played against my dad's lips when I mentioned what I thought about Jacob.

"You girls just be careful and curfew is still in effect. You hear me?"

"Yes sir," I nodded solemnly.

I kissed both of my parents goodbye before opening the door and ushering Rosalie and Alice outside.

"What time is curfew?" Alice asked me as we walked to the driveway.

"Midnight," I answered.

"Really? Wow," she said under her breath.

We walked toward my car before I stopped in my tracks. Parked behind my Ford Escort had to be on the hottest cars I had ever seen. A 1978 Camero Iroc Z. It was a deep shade of blue and it gleamed in the moonlight.

Rosalie sensed me checking out the car and laughed. "No offense to the Escort there… but it's not really going to escort us in style, if you know what I mean."

"Totally," I said in awe.

The three of us climbed into the car silently. I was still in utter shock as I took in the pristine interior. Rosalie drove it like a woman on a mission.

"I had no idea you had this," I finally said.

"Yeah, I don't drive it much. She's my baby and I hate to bring her up to the school for some piece of shit to ding. So, instead I usually have my parents drop me off."

We drove the fifteen minutes from my house to the bar, filling the time with giggles and songs. The radio played the current top hits that were classics to me and we sang them as loud as we could. Our night had barely even started yet I knew that this was going to be one of the best nights of my life.

The Whiskey Tango was a little more understated as a nightclub. First off, there were no bright neon lights alerting its presence. From the outside, it was a just another drab building situated next to a gas station. Upon entering, however, the scene was completely different.

We stepped inside the building and entered a long narrow hallway. At the end, sitting on a barstool was the door guy/bouncer, whatever you wanted to call him. He was a large guy with a black T-shirt on that read in big white bold letters across his front, SECURITY. I guess he also freelanced as that as well.

I pulled my ID out of my purse and handed it over to him. He looked at the ID then back at me, then back at my ID. I was growing impatient and was about to let it show when he handed me back the flimsy plastic. I smiled and strutted into the dimly lit main area of the club.

A dance floor was in the center of the room and already, it was packed with people dancing around to the sounds of Depche Mode. A stage further off to the back was set up for the band to perform on later in the evening. I followed Rosalie and Alice over to the bar where we stood waiting for the bartender to take our drink orders. Drinking and underage, I thought to myself. Now, there was something you never saw any more in my time.

"What's your poison?" Rosalie asked me.

"I don't care. Whatever you're having," I said staring at the mounds of people on the dance floor.

Rosalie laughed. "Bella, I'm drinking water. You sure you don't want something a little stronger?"

Alice jumped in. "I'll take a pina colada, frozen."

"You're not drinking?" I questioned. I had just assumed that because we were of legal age that all of us would be consuming an alcoholic beverage tonight.

"No, I'm driving. You know, Mothers Against Drunk Driving?"

"Huh?"

"Really Bella. Were you not listening to that assembly last week? MADD came and gave this big presentation on the dangers of drinking and driving. I, for one, am not about to wreck my precious ride out there for a few drinks."

"Oh, right," I said, playing dumb. Of course, for last week's assembly I had been in another lifetime. "I guess I'll have a rum and coke then."

"Big drinker," she said smiling. "I would have taken you for the frilly drink type."

Rosalie placed our drink orders with the bartender who turned out, was a friend of her dad's. They chatted for a few minutes about the band and the crowd before the sight of a familiar guy caught my eye. I smiled as our eyes locked from across the room and he began to slowly make his way over to me.

"Hey," I said softly as he approached me.

"Hey. You look...nice."

"Thanks. So do you."

And he did. Edward was dressed in a pair of faded blue jeans paired with a simple black cotton T-shirt. His converse high tops matched his shirt and he had one pant leg stuffed inside while the other was covering most of his shoe.

"I didn't think you would come," I said a little louder as the music cranked up.

"Yeah," he said, scratching his head. "I wanted to hear this band you were talking about."

"Awesome," I replied with a fake smile. It wasn't that I was expecting him to say he came because I had asked him to, but it would have been nice to hear.

Rosalie and Alice stood off to the side of us, engaged in their own conversation. Occasionally they would throw looks my way. Sometimes they were all knowing smiles, other times they were cold glares.

"Let me introduce you to my friends," I said into Edward's ear. He nodded and followed me as I turned around and walked toward Rosalie and Alice.

"Girls," I said gaining their attention. They stopped mid conversation and looked at Edward and myself. Alice shoved her nose in the air while Rosalie appraised Edward from head to toe.

I made introductions and it didn't take long for the four of us to engage in an easy banter.

"Is that Jasper Whitlock?" Edward asked. I scanned the crowd and sure enough, floating over the heads of the bodies around the bar was the unmistakable and out of place, black cowboy hat.

I heard Alice take in a deep breath the closer he neared.

"Hey man," Edward said, holding his hand up high in the air and giving Jasper a high five. Jasper walked past us, up and to the bar leaving me with questions.

"Are you two friends?" I asked Edward.

Edward shook his head no and took a pull from his bottle and swallowed. "Um, not really. We have a class together." He shrugged like greeting people in that manner was typical behavior for him.

I followed his gaze to Jasper who was leaning against the bar, holding up a drink and pointing to it. I guess that was his way of asking if we wanted a refill. Like Edward, I shook my head no.

"I'm going to head to the men's room before the show starts. Will you be here or are you moving up front?" Edward asked as he set his drink down on the bar top behind me.

"I'll be here," I said. He nodded and walked away. I watched as he swayed back and forth, my eyes transfixed on the way his bottom filled out his jeans nicely.

I heard the tail end of Alice speaking before I made out what she was saying.

"In love?" I asked a little too loudly. She eyed me wearily. Her bottom lip started to quiver. "Wait. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I mean, I should have known I couldn't tell you this kind of stuff. I'm so stupid." She was on the verge of tears and I'll be damned if I was going to make her cry. I set my drink down next to Edward's and grabbed her shoulders.

"Alice, what's wrong?" I asked in more caring tone. "Who's in love? I didn't catch all of what you were saying."

"You...you didn't?" she squeaked. I shook my head no and tried to offer her a reassuring smile. "Oh, well, I said I think I'm in love."

My heart stopped. Of course I had to be ridiculous to think I was the only one who had noticed Edward. I hardly knew anything about him, other than he was great at biology. And of course, in my first adventure through high school, I knew absolutely nothing about any of the people I was hanging out with tonight.

I swallowed thickly and plastered a smile on my face. "With Edward? That's great, Alice. Do you want me to talk to him? I mean, he is my lab partner after all."

"Edward?" she asked before she started into a fit of laughter.

"What's so funny?" Rosalie asked, coming over to join us.

"I have no idea. She tells me she's in love right after Edward leaves to go to the bathroom and now she's laughing at me."

"Edward?" Rosalie questioned also. "Please, even if Alice was in love with him, it's so obvious that he only has eyes for you."

"What?"

"You heard me. That boy hasn't been able to take his eyes off of you since he got here. Personally, it makes me a little sick," she said with a wink.

"Well, if it's not Edward, then who is it?" I asked Alice.

"Jasper," she whispered as she moved in closer to Rosalie and me, joining our heads in a tight circle.

"Really?" I said, with pure elation. She nodded quickly.

"I don't think he knows I'm alive though. I mean, I'm probably so far off his radar it's not even funny. Why would some amazingly handsome cowboy like some new wave girl like me?"

"One way to find out," Rosalie said. She pushed herself away from the bar and swayed her hips as she walked over to Jasper. She draped her arm on his shoulder and leaned into his body. He looked surprised at her close proximity before leaning further into her as she spoke into his ear.

"What do you think she's saying?" Alice asked me. "Oh God, I'll just die if she tells him what I said."

"Tells who what who said?" Edward asked as he joined our little bubble. Alice gave me a pointed stare in which I acted like I was zipping my lips up and throwing away the key. Before anything further could be said, Rosalie started to walk back toward us, Jasper hot on her heels.

"Does everyone know Jasper?" Rosalie asked.

"Hey," he said tipping his hat. "Um, Bella, I'm sorry about the other day outside of the lunchroom. I swear I didn't see you."

"Don't worry about it," I said waving him off, noting that the accent matched the look he was sporting. Seemed our resident cowboy had a little bit of a southern twang. "No harm no foul."

"Yeah, well, your boyfriend didn't see it that way."

"What happened?" Alice asked, speaking for the first time. Jasper glanced at her and his eyes lingered on hers while I recounted the story for every one.

"And by the way," I added. "Jacob isn't my boyfriend."

"He's not?" The four of them said in unison.

"No, he's not. I don't answer to him. I answer for myself, so just remember that if he decides to give any of you hell. For that matter, none of you let him intimidate you."

Jasper and Alice quickly engaged themselves in a quiet conversation. I watched from the sidelines as it appeared the two of them seemed to be hitting it off.

"So you and Jacob aren't together any more?" Edward asked me. His breath was hot against my face from his closeness.

"No," I said, staring at my half empty glass.

"Are you upset about it?"

"What? No!" I all but shouted. "He's an asshole. It had been a long time coming, believe me."

Edward gave me a half smile and nodded. From across the bar someone shouted his name and he waved. "Excuse me for a second. I'll be right back."

"Take your time," I said.

Rosalie and I were standing against the edge of the bar and I was thankful that he was out of earshot before she started her interrogation.

"So you and Edward, huh?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I like him but I hardly know anything about him."

"Well, maybe tonight you'll get to know him better."

"Maybe," I said. "Hey, what about you? Aren't there any guys you're into?"

I was setting the conversation to bring up Emmett. I was hoping to get Rosalie on the track of boys; optimistic that maybe she had a crush on him as well.

"Not really. I don't have time."

"What do you mean, you don't have time?" I asked her.

"It's silly, Bella," she said after a long pause. "We can talk more about it later, 'kay?"

"Yeah, that goes without saying." I gave her a playful smile in hopes that she would know that I also meant we could further her mention of Edward.

After several seconds of debating how to bring him up, I decided to go with the safest bet. Beat around the bush. "What about any of the guys at school? Don't you have, like a crush on any of them?"

She thought for a second before she answered. "I don't know. Like who?"

"Maybe Emmett."

"Emmett McCarty? The football player?" I nodded. "Hmmm... well, I've never really given him much thought. I mean, sure he's hot and all, but I don't know. Sometimes I think I'd rather wait until after high school to really date any one."

"But then you'd miss all the fun stuff, like dances and..." My internal thoughts trailed off as Rosalie eyed me. "What?"

"Nothing," she said shaking her head.

"Well, nothing just walked in the door." I motioned to the entrance of the empty hallway to see Emmett stepping out. He looked freshly showered, unless his permed mullet was taking on the sheen of his sweat.

"Shit," Rosalie muttered. "He's headed this way."

"And? Talk to him. He's a really nice guy," I said, doing my best to vouch for him.

"Yeah, nice like Jacob and Tyler?"

"Hardly. Emmett is really genuine. Promise." I crossed an x over my heart hoping she knew that I was serious.

With an exaggerated puff of air, Rosalie nodded while I beamed at Emmett walking toward us.

"Ladies," he said, with a level of swagger in his voice.

"Emmett, hey!" I said brightly. "Have you ever met Rosalie?"

"Not officially. Emmett McCarty," he said, extending out his hand. When she allowed hers to be met with his own, he bent his head and kissed it softly.

"Rosalie Hale," she said eyeing him warily.

"How was the game?" I asked. Edward was walking away from the friend he had seen at the other end of the bar and headed back in our direction. He slid his way beside me. My body ignited at the close proximity. Why? I had no idea, but it did.

"What's up man," Emmett said to Edward. "You're Edward right?"

"Yeah, Emmett McCarty?"

"The one and only." The two of them shook hands and passed pleasantries along. "The game was good. We won. You're attendance didn't go unnoticed, by the way."

I huffed and slung back the last of my drink. "I don't care."

Emmett laughed. "So who else we got here?"

"Um, Alice Brandon and Jasper Whitlock are..." I looked around the space and didn't see them anywhere near us. My eyes searched the dance floor and landed on the two of them, swaying back and forth to the music. I pointed in their direction, the two of them, seemingly lost in each other and not noticing the world around them. "Right there."

"Aww...look at them!" Rosalie gushed. "How sweet."

"Would you like to dance?" Emmett asked shyly. I had never remembered ever seeing this side to him. He had always been so sure of himself, Mr. hard-up football guy. It was amazing the power women held over men, whether we knew it or not.

"Will you be okay, Bella?" Rosalie asked me.

"Please, you two go! I've got Edward here to keep me company. Right, Edward?" I looked up expecting to see him looking anywhere than where his focus was. Instead of scouring the crowd, his gaze was planted firmly on me. My breath caught in my throat at the uninhibited expression of want, need, and uncertainty that danced in his eyes.

"I'm not going anywhere."

Rosalie and Emmett left the two of us leaning against the bar while they went to dance. The music had picked up from the slower beat that had been previously playing. I laughed to myself but it apparently was loud enough for Edward to hear.

"What?" he asked, giving me a coy smile.

"Nothing. It's just, when I mentioned Emmett to Rosalie earlier she acted like she didn't care one way or another about him. Now look at her."

He scanned the dance floor until he spotted the two of them wrapped in each other's arms dancing only a dance the two of them could keep time to.

"Looks like she might feel a little differently about him now."

I agreed and turned back around to face the bar. It wasn't that I didn't want to watch my new friends dance the night away, it was just that a part of me, deep within, had really wanted Edward to ask me out there.

The two couples on the dance floor danced for three more songs before the MC announced that the band would be taking the stage soon. Edward grabbed me by the hand and led me to the dance floor where Alice and Rosalie were already standing with Emmett and Jasper against the front edge of the stage.

Hole took the stage and played a few songs I didn't know and the ones I did, I had to act like I had never heard of. Especially when Courtney Love announced that one in particular was the first time they had played it. Wouldn't have looked good for a girl from 1989 to know every word to a song that wasn't set to be released until 1991.

Instead, I swayed and jumped around with Alice and Rosalie. The boys stood behind us, laughing amongst them and appearing to have a good time. Every so often, when my jumping would get a little erratic, I would feel Edward behind me. He would grab my hips to keep me from knocking him down. After the first time, when I didn't turn around and slap him for touching me, I began to jump frantically just hoping that he would hold me again. And he did. Sometimes his hands would linger a little longer and once I felt him give me a gentle squeeze. I smiled when he did that, catching the eyes of both Alice and Rosalie. They weren't ignorant to what I was doing or how I was feeling in that moment. They knew something was up and from the happy go lucky way I was acting, they knew I liked it.

The concert ended and the six of us left the stage for the bar where, since the night was winding down, we all ordered water. Edward stood next to me the whole way, keeping his hand on the small of my back. It felt nice there, like it was supposed to be there. Jacob, in all the years I had known him, had never ignited this burning desire deep within my loins. I tried to tell myself that it was just raging teenage hormones. That maybe I felt like this because I had only ever really dated one person and to have the attention of another was new and exciting. I think I was lying to myself.

It was eleven thirty when we all decided to call it a night and go our separate ways. The boys walked us outside to the car, where for ten minutes, Emmett and Rosalie talked about how awesome her car was. Alice and Jasper hardly said anything to each other, but the sly glances they threw in each others direction was more than words could ever say. That left me with Edward.

"I'm really glad you showed up tonight," I said, leaning against the passenger door of the car.

"Me too," he said with a smile.

The conversation became awkward at that point, neither of us knowing what to say or do. Rosalie broke us out of our quiet demeanor when she said we needed to leave so that we'd make it back to my house before curfew.

"So I guess I'll see you on Monday then?" Edward asked, backing away from the car.

I nodded. "Monday. Totally."

"Awesome." He flashed me a huge grin and turned around to walk to his car. It was then that I noticed something that he was wearing that I hadn't seen, in well, a really long time.

"Hey, Edward!" I yelled out. He stopped and turned around, his smile still in place. "Are those Bugle Boy jeans you're wearing?"

His smile morphed from a huge grin to a cocky smirk in a matter of seconds. "Why yes, yes they are."

He winked and turned back around and strutted the rest of the way to his car. I was left speechless at his bold attempt at being coy. I had to admit I really liked it. Like, a lot.

I shook my head, more so to myself since no one was really paying attention to me, and jumped in the front seat of Rosalie's car. She revved it up and drove back to my house for my first ever sleepover.

Our ride home wasn't filled with much talk. I suspected that each of us was caught up in our own heads and the boys that occupied them. I knew mine was. For me, things with Jacob were over. If that was one thing that I changed in being sent back then I felt like my trip would have been worth it. But from the standpoint of everyone else, was it too soon to jump into something with Edward? Granted, I knew nothing about him other than he was kick ass at biology and very patient with me. But, that's what ate at me. I wanted to know about him. What music he liked. What he wanted to be when he graduated. Most importantly, I wanted to know if he wanted to know all of those things about me too.

When we pulled into my driveway, the lights in the house were out but the porch light was left on. Upon further inspection, I saw a faint light coming through the front window.

We walked inside, being as quiet as we could. My dad was passed out in his recliner with the TV still on. That explained the light I saw from outside. I told the girls to go on up to my room while I woke my dad up. He stirred a little and then opened his eyes.

"Hey you," he said in a gruff voice. "You kids get home okay?"

"Yeah, we're about to head upstairs and call it a night."

He sat up from the chair and reached for the remote turning the TV off. "You girls have fun?"

"Yeah, we did." I smiled brightly at my dad.

"Good. Don't stay up too late. I'm headed out early in the morning to fish."

"Okay." I walked toward my dad and kissed him on the cheek. "Good night."

"Night," he called back.

I climbed the stairs to my room and when I entered, Alice and Rosalie were already in their pajamas, sitting cross-legged on my bed. I asked them to give me just a few minutes while I changed.

I grabbed a T-shirt and a pair of old boxers and walked across the hall to the bathroom. After washing my face and changing clothes, I rejoined them in my room, plopping down next to Alice on the bed.

"Okay, dish." Rosalie said sternly.

"Who?" I asked, pointing to myself. "Me?"

She nodded her head up and down, smiling the whole time. "Yes, tell us about the uber quiet Edward Cullen," Alice said giggling.

"I could easily ask you two the same thing," I professed. "I mean, what about, I'm not looking to date high school boys?" I asked Rosalie.

"We're not dating," she said in mock horror.

I gave her a pointed stare. "You two looked quite cozy on the dance floor." Alice continued to giggle next to me. "Same goes for you missy. You and Jasper looked quite the pair out there, saying things with your eyes that your mouths couldn't. Don't think I didn't notice," I said after she looked at me with wide eyes.

We sat in silence for a moment before I relented. "Fine!" I shouted, doing my best to keep my voice down. "I like him. But I'm scared."

"Of what?" Rosalie asked. "No offense to Jacob, but Edward hardly seems like the kind of guy that would be anything like him."

"I wish you could have seen the way he was staring at you all night. It was like he wanted to say something but the words were on the tip of his tongue and he was unable to say them. It was really kind of sweet," Alice informed me.

"I don't know. He's really nice and with schoolwork, like the tutoring in bio, he's really patient with me. I've just never really known anything other than Jacob I guess."

"Are you scared of what people at school would think if they knew you liked him?" Alice asked.

"No," I firmly stated.

"You've changed," Rosalie said, after a long pause. "You're not the same uptight bitch you've always been. I actually like this you."

I laughed but it didn't reach my heart. "Well, gee, thanks. I would hope you do since you're having a sleepover at my house."

"I agree," Alice chimed in. "I thought maybe at first when you asked if I wanted a ride home that you were going to be mean to me or something. I was scared to even look at you because I was afraid I'd see you looking down at me. But then, when Rosalie was in the car with you, I figured, hell if she's going to get two of us, at least I won't be alone."

"Was I really that bad?" I asked them. I knew I wasn't the nicest person in high school, but never had I thought I was as mean as they were making me sound.

They shared a look between them and then both sets of eyes looked at me before bowing their heads.

"Shit," I cursed under my breath. "I'm really sorry. You know that right? I don't want to be that girl anymore. I want more out of life, out of friends. Those people I've been hanging out with, they won't give a shit about me later down the road. I want people I can depend on, people that see me for something other than the hottest thing in school, or Jacob's girlfriend."

"You really mean that?" Alice asked.

"Yes, I do." I tried to convey with my eyes just how much I really meant that.

"Because if we are some sort of social experiment for you…" Alice's expression fell and I could have sworn I saw tears beginning to fill her eyes.

"No," I said, scooting closer and wrapping my arms around her shoulders. "It's nothing like that. People have to change right? I don't want to live the rest of my life thinking that high school was the highlight of my life. I've gone four years hanging out with the same group of people who all want the same thing, power and popularity. I'm done with that. I want people that will be there for me when I need them most. People, that years from now, I can call and we can talk on the phone without missing a beat."

"When did this party turn from gushing about really cute boys to a cry fest?" Rosalie asked with a laugh. Alice and I joined in with her and before I knew it, the three of us were laughing together, embracing in a hug.

"I'd really like for us to be friends," I said to them as our laughter died down.

"Even at school?" Alice asked.

"Even at school," I confirmed. "Although, I have a feeling you two have new lunch buddies."

With that being the last of what was said about my ever-changing attitude, our conversation quickly went to giggling and recounting the night's events with the boys. Alice was certain that Jasper was the guy for her and Rosalie even went as far to say that she'd break her no dating rule in high school for the likes of Emmett. As for me, well, I just wanted to get to know Edward better. If it resulted in something beyond friendship, I wasn't going to fight it.

The next morning, I woke up to the smells of cinnamon and bread from below. Alice and Rosalie were not in the room so I suspected that the lingering sweet smell must have woken them up as well.

I went to the bathroom and took care of my morning duties before I walked downstairs. The smell grew stronger and my smile grew wider the closer I got to the kitchen. I passed the living room and skipped to the kitchen where I found my mom sitting at the breakfast table. She was reading the paper with her coffee in hand and a plate of freshly baked cinnamon rolls in front of her.

"Yum," I said clearing the room and swiping one of the sweet treats.

"Thanks mom," I said between mouthfuls of bread.

"You're welcome. The girls are in the living room."

"Have they been up long?"

"No," my mother said laughing. "Alice bounded down the stairs as soon as I popped the can on the rolls. I think she must have some sort of sensor built in her head."

I laughed with my mother at that.

"Rosalie came down as soon as I took them out of the oven."

"Smart girls," I said, picking up a second helping.

"Take the plate with you. You girls need to put a little fat on your bodies."

I wasn't about to argue with my mother. I took the plate and a tall glass of milk into the living room and planted myself on the sofa with the Rosalie. Alice was perched on the floor, her back resting against the couch.

"What are we watching?" I asked after we each said good morning to each other.

"Pee Wee's Playhouse," Alice said in an excited tone.

Rosalie looked at me and rolled her eyes, taking another cinnamon roll for herself.

"That dude is such a perv," I said without thinking.

"Isabella Marie Swan!" I heard my mother screech. "You watch what you say."

Damn it, I chastised myself. Of course it hadn't come out yet that he was into getting a little friendly with his hand in a theater meant for erotic movies. Naked at that, wearing nothing but a trench coat.

Instead of arguing with my mother, I sat and watched PeeWee's Playhouse and actually caught myself laughing several times. I had honestly forgotten how silly the show was. Every so often I'd have to watch what I'd say about one of the characters on the show. Phil Hartman was playing "Captain Carl" and I had to bite my tongue and not say how sad it was that his wife had killed him.

We continued to laugh at the secret word of the day (which was DOOR) and the corny jokes that were told. It was fun and the perfect way to begin a Saturday.

The plate of rolls had been long gone. I took the plate and returned it to the kitchen, setting it in the sink, when I heard someone knocking on the door. The girls were all too quiet in the living room. It wasn't until my mother yelled that someone was at the door, did they bust their gut in a fit of laughter. I laughed along with them as I opened the front door.

As soon as the door was pulled fully open and I had controlled my laughter, I was shocked to see Jacob standing on the other side, looking none too pleased.

A/N- What in the hell does he want? Geesh…didn't she send him on his way already? Next update will be on May 19th and I'm sorry it won't be any sooner, you see, I'm leaving for New Orleans next Thursday to have a weekend full of fun with Fngrcufs, Nowforruin, and LizF22…OMG I'm so excited!

The Sunflower Awards are now open for voting and this story has been nom'd! Thank you to all of you who took the time out to nominate me. You know who you are. Also, my Carlisle/Bella story, You Are The Only Exception is also nominated. Here's the link to vote for the stories you love the best! The girls who coordinated this site are amazing so show them so love by voting! Www (dot) thesunflowerawards (dot) blogspot (dot) com

I sent out a video teaser to some of you in replies last week and I was told the link didn't work. I'm so sorry! I promise to be better about that. I'll work on the next teaser this weekend (when my face isn't buried in my Nook reading the Blue Blood series- so good) and get it sent out in replies.

Sorry for the massively long A/N…Until next time!

Xoxo
Holly