A/N Thanks for the reviews and your thoughts so far! means alot, please keep 'em coming!


Chapter 7

When we had gotten off the plane and collected our luggage, Alice went off to sort out the rental car. She had insisted on getting our own vehicle as she said my Mom was doing enough just putting us up for the week.

I stood with the bags, fanning myself with my hand, all ready becoming too hot. I had taken off my coat and jumper, but even in jeans and a t-shirt I was becoming pretty sticky. I hoped whatever Alice picked would have air-con.

I spotted her heading back towards me, looking very smug indeed.

"what did you get?" I asked as we made our way to the car park.

"you'll see" she grinned.

we walked through the average looking cars and seemed to head towards the more expensive looking ones. then she stopped us. she pressed the button on the electronic key fob and I saw the lights flash on a bright yellow car. my jaw dropped.

"good huh? all it took was a little extra eyelash batting and banter like I knew what I was doing and POW! I got the best car available." she jumped on the word 'POW'. "I also got his number. but like that's ever gonna happen" she added, screwing something up and stuffing it in a pocket.

We drove to my Mom's house with the air-con blasting. It was heaven. the seats were so comfortable, and as there were only two, there was plenty of leg room.

I would look out and see passers by pointing at our car as we passed. Alice was loving the attention. Every now and then we would wave at a staring pedestrian, bursting into giggles when they returned the wave with a very confused look upon their faces.

When we got to my Mom's house, I looked around. something seemed different. there was still the cactus I had planted years ago, growing strong in the front yard. and the layout was all the same. I couldn't quite put my finger on the change.

We walked up to the door and I rang the bell.

"Bella!" my Mom cried as she engulfed me in a huge hug. I squeezed back, I hadn't seen her in over a year.

"hi Mom" I said as she let me go. "you remember Alice, right?" she had come to visit my parents with me before when Jacob had been too busy.

"hi Mrs Swan" Alice said politely.

"goodness that isn't the same Alice that used to have the long, long dark hair? wow! I love what you've done with it now!"

"thanks. it got in the way a lot so I just chopped it all off" Alice replied. it was the same time her personality had shone through and she had become the non-stop dating girl she was now. she had bought a whole new wardrobe of clothes to match her new look.

we went inside and Mom showed us up to the rooms. once again I had the feeling that something was very different. but I couldn't quite say what.

"Mom, have you changed something? it's just...it feels different." I asked when we were sat in the living room with a cup of tea each.

"well, actually that brings up a subject I wanted to talk to you about." she said seeming a little anxious.

"I'm just popping to the bathroom" Alice said quietly, leaving the room quickly. she had obviously noticed mom's worry too. this had to be bad news.

"Bella, you're father's been gone fore a few years now..and well.." I had an idea where this was going.

"you're dating?" I asked as if to prompt her along.

"yes." she paused momentarily, then before I could say anything else she gushed, "his name is Phil, and he's so sweet and lovely and he really cares about me, you know?"

"Mom" I put my hand up to stop her. "it's OK. I'm glad you're moving on. to be honest I'm really happy for you."

"really?"

"yes! I was worried you'd end up like one of those old ladies with loads of cats or something." I joked.

"you know I'm allergic to fur" she smiled back. I could see tears in her eyes, and went over to hug her. she was obviously happy I'd accepted that my Mom was looking at other guys. I knew she would never want to replace dad. but a new boyfriend would surely be a good thing for her.

"so when do I get to meet him?" it was probably too late for me to give my approval, but I still wanted to know if he treated her properly.

"when he finishes work. he's already moved in." she admitted sheepishly.

it was almost six o'clock and I was helping Mom cook the dinner. Alice was sat at the kitchen counter chatting happily away about how things were going back in Forks.

I wanted to make a good impression on her new boyfriend, Phil, and I was actually getting quite nervous about meeting him. As we finished laying the table, we heard the lock on the door turning and the front door opening. I started biting my lip as I placed the last few knives and forks down in their positions.

I heard Mom in the hallway greeting him home, then they were heading towards the dining room. I quickly straightened my top and pushed my hair out of my face a little.

"Phil this is my daughter Bella, and her friend Alice. Girls, this is Phil" Mom introduced.

"hi" I smiled. Alice waved and nudged me in the back subtly pushing me towards him.

"I'll just go and dish up" Mom smiled. I made my way over to Phil and held out my hand, feigning confidence.

"nice to meet you" I said as he took my hand in his. he had quite a grip.

"you too. So you live in Forks? What's that like?" he asked obviously trying to be conversational.

"Umm, its OK I guess. nothing special."

"your Mom tells me you live with your boyfriend, Jack is it?" he laughed, obviously knowing he had gotten it wrong. we were all sitting down now and Mom was bringing in the plated food. I almost spoke up when he sat in Dad's old space at the head of the table, but I took a breath and let it go.

Alice was sitting silently, smiling politely, but keeping out of the family introductions.

"Jake" I corrected. there was something about Phil's happy attitude I didn't seem to like. "we sort of live together, but not quite."

"what's the hold up sweetie?" Mom cut in. "you've been together for almost five years, why haven't you sold that little shack of yours and moved in with him?"

"I like my place. its nice to have my own space sometimes." I grumbled. I hadn't quite figured it out to myself why I couldn't move in with Jake. I loved my place too much, I guessed. to change the subject from my living arrangements I turned to Phil. "so what do you do?"

"well, I'm a baseball coach" he smiled. Mom took his hand and gushed at him, obviously she was happy with his employment.

"he used to be a star player" she said, still smiling at Phil. she almost seemed star struck.

"until I tore my knee to shreds. now I just tell everyone else what to do instead."

"oh, that's nice." I said. feeling very uncomfortable seeing my Mom and some other guy staring at each other like that.

I was almost finished eating, when the reunion was brought up.

"so I hear you're going to meet up with all your old friends tomorrow night" Phil said.

I had just stuffed a forkful of food into my mouth, so I just nodded.

"well, I hope you have fun. and hey, even if you were treated badly at school, chances are, they all turned out fat." he laughed.

I looked up sharply and saw Mom wearing a slightly embarrassed look. she had told him about my friends. my ex friends. I had only just told Alice about that and we had been best friends for years.

"what do you mean?" I asked still eyeing him and my mother.

"well...your Mom told me about how your friends treated you back then, and well...I just thought, you know. I just hope you still have fun tomorrow night sweetheart."

sweetheart. sweetheart?. who did he think he was? something inside me snapped.

"excuse me, but I am not your sweetheart and you are not my dad. please don't try to treat me like that OK?" I said, standing up.

"honey...please sit down, and don't snap at Phil. he's our guest here." Mom said.

"what? how is he our guest? he's already moved in! I don't appreciate being treated like a child, especially by someone who isn't my FATHER!" I seethed. with that I took my plate and left the room. I put it in the kitchen before storming upstairs and going to my room.

it was only then I remembered Alice. crap. this was so embarrassing.

I changed and went straight to bed too ashamed to leave my room. after reading my book for a few minutes and not being able to focus on the words properly I gave up and lay there, staring at the ceiling until I finally fell asleep.


A/N tut tut, how could Bella not like Phil? But never fear...a handsome copper-haired beauty will be coming along shortly!

However, if you are too impatient, why not check out my latest one-shot starring Bella and said copper-haired lover? 'One Hot and Steamy Night' :)