Author's Note: The next chapter is going to be W.I.L.D. I'm hoping to have it up by Monday. Until then, enjoy this little chapter.
Disclaimer: What? You don't own Twilight either? Wow, what a coincidence!
Chapter Seven: "Guilty as Charged" Bella's POV
My first week of college flew by after I received my first job. Boring classes, working with Carlisle, and trying to tolerate my roommates became a familiar pattern.
Angela was amazingly easy to get along with. I briefly considered asking Jessica to switch with me, but decided that since Rosalie was rushing that weekend, I could stand her for a few more days. Rosalie wasn't downright cruel; she was just...chilly.
Okay, so maybe arctic was a better word. She didn't say much unless she was criticizing my lack of fashion sense or social smarts. Oddly enough, she was friendly when Alice was around.
Speaking of Alice, that was quite a source of drama. After working late (chastely, of course) with Carlisle Thursday night, I went to my dorm, ready to hit the sheets. I was surprised to find Alice sitting on my bed.
"Can you talk?" she asked. "I need advice."
"Sure," I said, wondering where Rosalie was and why Alice wasn't going to her.
She seemed to guess what I was thinking, because she said, "It's about Rose. That's why I can't seek her advice. And you seem to be the most levelheaded person on this floor, even though you are fucking my brother, which makes me question your sanity..."
I don't think I've ever blushed so much in my life. "Ahhh, where's Rosalie?"
"Outside. Emmett had to bring her something, and they usually take a while when they're in his Jeep. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable when I mentioned Edward. I'm just upfront with people I'm close to, and I really do think that you and I are going to be the best of friends."
I chuckled. "Uh, don't worry about it, Alice. But contrary to popular belief, Edward and I aren't...um..."
"Fucking?" She looked at me with an expression of surprise. "Then what are you doing?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. We're not even dating. We just..." I sighed. I had no label for us.
"Having fun," she filled in for me. "Making out and flirting but with no real commitment."
I nodded and moved to my dresser to pull out my bag of Twizzlers. Noticing the picture of Jacob, I quickly pushed it down so Alice couldn't see. I didn't want her reporting anything to Edward.
"Twizzler?" I asked.
She gratefully took one. "Okay, I have to spill now. So you know how Rose is rushing this weekend and she is going to inevitably pledge to Phi Mu?"
I nodded. "How could I not? Jessica is still steaming over that."
Alice rolled her eyes. "I hate that bitch. Anyways, we've always dreamed of being sorority sisters and sharing a room in the house and doing mixers and charity events together. Lillian--that's her mom--told me that she could easily secure me a spot in the Phi Mu family."
I chewed on the licorice. "So what's the problem?"
Alice sighed. "I can't pledge this year."
I raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
She took another Twizzler. "I was offered a job by a fashion designer here in Phoenix and I won't have time to pledge. This could be my big break since I want to start my own line. Perrine Bruyere, the fashion designer I worked with in Italy, told me I can't pass this opportunity up."
"That sounds great, Alice!" I exclaimed. "You shouldn't pass that up."
She sighed and stared at my purple comforter. "Rose will be mad at me, though. She hates it when her plans are ruined."
I rolled my eyes. "Okay, look. I know that Rosalie is a bitch sometimes--"
Alice laughed and nodded. "That's an understatement."
"But," I continued, "you guys have been best friends for forever. And no matter how bitchy she is, if she is your friend at all, she should be supportive of your decisions."
Alice nodded slowly. "You're absolutely right, but how will I tell her?"
"First, I would tell her that you've been offered a job. And let her know how badly you want it. And then tell her the hitch. I mean, Alice, college is about living your own life."
She smiled and pulled me into a warm hug. "You're absolutely right. Thanks, Isabella."
"No problem."
"Sooo, what are you doing this weekend?" she asked me, clearly relieved to have some sort of resolve over her problem.
I shrugged. "Not sure yet."
"Come clubbing with us," she suggested. "You can be Edward's date."
I bit my lip. "I don't want to force myself on you guys…"
She rolled her eyes. "You're not. We all like you. Rosalie even likes you, believe it or not. But Edward is head over heels for you already. Call him and see if he invites you."
I sighed and grabbed my phone. Not that I was sighing of frustration—quite the opposite. I was sighing because I didn't know if he would even think to invite me.
I found his number and hit "call" before Alice confiscated my phone and turned the speakerphone on. We listened to the phone ring three times before it clicked.
"Hey, pretty girl," the velvety voice said. "I was just thinking about you."
"How ironic," I chuckled nervously. "What's up?"
"Umm, not much, just putting the finishing touches on a paper."
"Oh," I said. "I can let you go, then." Alice glared at me and smacked my leg.
"No way. I've been wanting to hear your voice all day," Edward said, and I swear I could hear him smiling.
"Yeah, I kinda miss you too," I replied, my facial expressions begging Alice for something to say.
She chose then to interrupt. "Hey, big brother!" she chirped brightly.
Edward was quiet for a moment. "Hey, baby sister. Are you torturing Bella with toenail polish or something?"
"Not yet," she replied. "Actually, we were just planning our weekend. Are you interested in hitting up Threshold tomorrow night?"
"Hey, Alice, you know I love you and I'm willing to sneak you into bars, but Threshold is kind of sexual and you definitely have to be over twenty-one to get in."
"Oh, please, it's just a dance club." Alice rolled her eyes and lifted her feet to examine her expensive-looking pumps.
"With poles and costumes you can put on to dance."
"How would you know, Saint Edward?" Alice sarcastically asked her brother.
"Hey, just because I'm saying my baby sister shouldn't go doesn't mean that I abstain from all the joys in that club. If you, Rose, and Bella really want to go, I'll meet you there, but I don't see how you can get in."
Alice snorted. "I have my ways."
"No whoring around with the bouncer, please. I don't want to have to kill any oversexed men. And I don't want to share Bella with anyone. We'll meet you there at seven thirty. Let me know if the bouncer won't let you in."
"I will," she replied said sweetly. "Do you want to talk to this beautiful girl on the bed next to me in private?"
"Please, ma'am," Edward said, clearly mimicking Jasper's Southern accent.
Alice laughed. "You have nothing on Jazz. Here she is."
She handed me the phone and kissed my cheek. "Thanks for chatting, Isabella! I'll see you tomorrow at seven. Ah, actually, I'll be here at six to help you pick out something hot to wear."
"Thanks, Alice," I told her, hugging her briefly. She flitted out of my dorm. I turned my speakerphone off. "It's me again," I said into the phone.
"Finally," he laughed. "Do you want to have lunch with me tomorrow? I guess we can go to the student union and eat some fast food, unless you don't have a late class."
"The student union will have to do," I said. "I have lunch from eleven to twelve."
"Excellent. Do you want me to meet you on the steps of the union just after eleven?"
"Sure."
"Awesome," he said. Suddenly, his voice lowered. "Can I tell you something really corny?"
For some reason, I started to blush. "Of course."
I heard that smile in his voice again. "I've been thinking about you for days now," he admitted. "I just can't get your beautiful face out of my mind."
"You're really sweet," I said softly just before my phone started to beep. I glanced at the screen--Jacob was calling.
I would have to call my boyfriend eventually, before he grew suspicious and accused me of cheating.
And then I would have to admit that I was guilty as charged.
I felt that guilt pressing upon my heart, but right now Edward--the most perfect being on the planet--had my attention. I didn't want to think about Jake right now, so I ignored the beeping until it disappeared.
I can't wait to post the Threshold chapter next. There's going to be some crazy kinky action. Until then, let me know what you think of the story so far with a review.
