Disclaimer: All the wonderful Twilight characters belong to Stephenie Meyer, however the story 'The Perfect Man' belongs to me.

New drama is stirring! Sorry I haven't been able to update, so please, enjoy the chapter and read on!

Chapter Seven: Competition

Bella POV

"Bella! I'll need that pasta dish in 2 minutes!"

"Got it, Miri!" I yelled back, turning the stove on low. After a minute, I turned it off and carefully spooned the pasta into a clean plate and garnished it with cliantro and other herbs. I placed the pan back on the stove and slid the plate right into her hands.

"Thanks, Bella! It looks delicious!"

"It always does!" She winked and turned away, carrying the plate flat on her palm.

I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand. I loved the restaurant life-everything was so fast paced, and you always had to rush to keep up with it. But nevertheless, it always gave me a thrill, and I loved being the sous chef here.

The Lunar was an Italian resturant situated in downtown Chicago, in one of the more elegant and high class areas. Now, don't get me wrong, I also like the ghetto. However, it wasn't somewhere I wanted to live, but the ghetto did give Chicago it's own style, it's own personality. Riding on the bus to work, I always liked to read the graffiti and see the people playing baseball or soccer in the alleyways.

I was born in Forks, Washington, but I had moved here with my mom when I was only a baby. After she died, Alice, my best friend since I was in kindergarten at the time became more like a sister to me. I would spend endless hours at their house when I could, instead of the small orphanage down the street from their place. Finally, Alice's parents, Esme and Carlisle adopted me, and I couldn't have ever had a better family.

Of course, I missed my parents dearly, but I loved Esme and Carlisle. They were so caring and loving, it was hard not to love them. THey had always treated me like their own daughter, and I know that I was lucky that I could be part of their family.

Ever since I was little, I had loved cooking. I had first helped Esme out in the kitchen, but slowly as I became older I started taking over some of the meals and cooked for the family. Esme had always said that I had a talent for cooking. When one of Carlisle's good friends became the manager of The Lunar and needed more cooks, Carlisle recommended me for the job, and I took it gladly. It helped me through my last two years of college, and now I lived close to Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett. I couldn't have been happier.

But there was always a small voice nagging in the back of my head, telling me that I was already in my twenties but I hadn't found anyone that I loved yet. I wanted companionship, someone to marry and grow old with and have kids.

That feeling had changed recently. Whenever I was Iming Edward, I felt the weight lift off of my shoulders, and I knew that I was attracted to him. But I couldn't tell through his emails and Ims if he liked me that way also. But, I was glad to have such a close friend, however he was busy in Florida with a business trip, so we couldn't meet up and talk. I often imagined meeting him in the Cafe Du Soleil near my home, and we would talk for hours, laughing about our lives and friends.

But it was only a dream. A very good dream that I've had so many times at night.

Someone tapped my shoulder, so I looked up at whoever it was. Brian was leaning over the table filled with chopped ingredients, motioning towards the order line. "Bella, you've got to get started on those orders."

Whipping my head around, I saw that there were already 3 pieces of paper attatched to the line. "Shit," I muttered, getting up from the stool and kicking it under the table. I turned the stove on and poured in oil, checking to see the dish. Chicken Parmesean. I smiled. That was my favorite dish.

"Brian, could you hand me those chicken filets over there?" A second later, a plate full of chicken was right in front of my face. "Thanks." I took it from him, but my fingers brushed against his hand by accident. I felt him tense, but I pretended not to notice. It was just an ordinary touch.

Buttering up the chicken, I pressed it into the oil in my pan, seasoning it with rosemary and other herbs. Lastly, I piled it with cheese, waiting for to melt before covering the chicken in it. Miri appeared around the corner again, holding her hand out for the dish. "Just a second!" I took the chicken carefully out of the skillet and handed it to her, smiling.

The rest of the night was hectic, but it toned down after another hour. After we closed, I checked that all the stoves were off and everything was stored for tommorrow. I groaned as I remembered that I had to come in early to prep for tommorrow.

I grabbed my coat and walked outside, pushing open the employee only door. There was a dark shadow outside, so I gasped and my hand flew to my mouth. But someone laughed, so I turned around and smacked them across the arm. "Brian! Don't you dare scare me like that ever again!"

He was still laughing, but then I started laughing along with him. But he stopped soon, and he looked up at me through his eyes. "Bella, would you like to go out with me next Friday?"

I was shocked speechless. I mean, Brian was a really nice guy, but somehow, it felt like I was betraying...Edward.

I knew it was irrational. I mean, I hadn't even met Edward face to face yet, and here I was, worried that I would be hurting his feelings and cheating on him just because a good friend of mine was asking for a date.

I bit my lip, not knowing what to say. "Um, is it okay if I get back to you? I don't know if my scheldule will be free on Friday; my friends might want to go on their weekly shopping spree with me."

Brian shrugged his shoulders. "Fine with me. See you tommorrow, Bella." He waved and walked away.

"Yeah." I said, quietly. Sighing, I walked to my car, pulling out of the lot and driving away to home, sweet home.

Lizzy POV

I was walking towards Aaron's house, carrying two body pillows and The Notebook DVD. It was already eight o' clock, and I felt terrible for being late for movie night.

I had rushed from Alicia's house about half an hour ago, after realizing that it was Friday and it was already 7:30. I had been too focused on the task at hand to check the clock, and I was eternally thankful that Alicia had told me the time.

"Aaron?" I knocked on the door, opening it quietly. He was sitting on the couch, his head resting on the back of the couch. I shook his shoulder gently. "Sorry I'm late. I'm here now!"

He didn't seem to stir, because he looked like he was asleep. I shrugged, sitting on the couch and piling myself and him with blankets. I started the movie quietly, but after a few moments, I felt Aaron start to twitch. He was mumbling something, but I didn't understand what.

I scooted closer to him, attempting to understand what he was saying. He stopped, but suddenly I found myself pressed against his chest. "Mmm..Lizzy.."

I froze when I heard him say my name. It sounded so...right. I tilted my head up just as he kissed me on my lips.

HE KISSED ME!

I jumped up in shock, successfully waking Aaron up.

He blinked his eyes in confusion, eyeing the scene in front of him. "Lizzy...What happened? Are you alright?"

I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak. Tears were starting to fall down my eyes, wetting the carpet. Aaron looked up in alarm. He tried to hug me, but I backed away from him, stumbling backwards.

"Just give me some time," I choked out through my stream of tears. A sob rose in my throat. I couldn't trust myself to talk.

I didn't know why I was feeling like this. Aaron was my best friend. But he kissed me. And now...everything, it felt so wrong.

His eyes dropped, losing their usual sparkle. He seemed to have understood that I didn't want to talk right now.

I opened the door as quick as I could, running back home before I collasped into a heap, sobbing on the front steps.

I loved Aaron. I realized that now.

But did he feel the same for me, and would we ever be friends again?

Ehehe. Drama. :) Please, review, and I'll see you next update!