Knock, knock, knock.

I get up and walk downstairs to answer the door to my awaiting guest.

As I open the door, there is beautiful blonde Rosalie with a smile that would melt anyone's heart. She was wearing black leather leggings with a flowing white tank top, and black sandals. Her hair flowing perfectly down her back, with sunglasses propped on top of her head.

"Bella!" she greeted me.

I shied an embarrassed smile as my cheeks started to blush and stood to the side welcoming her inside.

"Your apartment is beautiful, Bella," she said sincerely.

"Thank you," I whispered.

I feel like I am coming off like a standoff bitch but I really have lost my social skills in the last six months and I am in such exasperation that someone like Rosalie is talking to me. Not Bella Swan, but just plain old Bella. It's different. It's nice. I wish I could show her I appreciate it rather than sound like an un-socialized brat.

"Are you ready, Bella?" Rosalie asked.

"Yeah… do I need anything else besides the book and flashdrive? Do I need to bring anything else?"

"No, you should be just fine. Besides, we'll be in the city for a few hours. If you need something, we can always stop by before we head to the Cullens." She responded.

I grab the flashdrive and my history book off the kitchen table, along with my bag before we exit the apartment, locking the door behind us.

We walk down to the elevator and ride it down to the lobby, Rosalie letting me stay in my silent state.

As we are exiting the lobby to the street, Harry the doorman states, "Have a great day Miss Swan."

"Thank you, Harry," I reply giving him a smile.

Harry the doorman had to be in his sixties. He had a fatherly feel to him. Always checking in on me when he'd see me. He had to make sure I was doing okay and wasn't being bothered. He was a very nice older man, with gray hair and a strong jaw. My favorite part of Harry though was his eyes. That was the part that always put me at ease. His eyes were a calm blue. You could see his concern and adoration through his eyes. He truly cared about me like a daughter, and I appreciated it. He has probably been my only friend in the last six months.

Rosalie's car was parked on the street, just a little down from the front doors of my building.

We reached the car. Rosalie unlocked her red BMW M3 convertible and we got in. "Is it still okay we go down the street to this great little café for lunch?" Rosalie asked.

"Of course." I answered.

"Perfect," she replied with a smile. "It's a little café. It's fabulous. I figured we should get something lite before tonight."

"Sound good."

We arrived within minutes of leaving my building. It was a little café with only outside seating. It didn't look very busy. Maybe only two or three people. Rosalie parked just to the left of the front doors and went inside to order. The café mostly had small sandwiches, salads, and beverages. Rosalie wouldn't allow me to pay for myself. Stating that I was her guest today.

Rosalie truly was the epitome of class. She was absolutely gorgeous, but she wasn't just a pretty face. Her charisma and personality was intoxicating. Everything around her seemed to be brighter. Her smile radiated to everything surrounding her. With her face at a glance, people would assume that she is a stuck up blonde with mush for brains, but once being around her or even once she opens her mouth, perfection came out. She was basic perfection that every woman dreamed of, and yet you could not hate her. It is definitely an Audrey Hepburn feel, but Rosalie is blonde. And here I am, having lunch with her. This has been a weird week.

Rosalie was right, the food and drinks were magnificent. Of course she was right.

"So what errands do you need to run?" I asked.

"Well, I need to pick up the cake and presents for both Edward & Alice," replied Rosalie.

"Okay. So where to first?"

"Let's head down to this nice little boutique I know Alice loves." Rosalie stated as she started to stand up. I followed suit behind her heading to her car.

"What about for Edward?" I asked.

"They've actually got a really nice gentleman selection too," Rosalie said with a smile. She looked at me a little longer than I could take so I broke the eye contact. I opened my door into the car and got in. She climbed in herself and buckled up.

"I think I should get them something too. For both of them. Is that weird?" I asked quietly.

Rosalie stole a glance while mid-shift. "Not at all," she said with a smile. "You don't need to, but you are more than welcome to. Actually, you can go in on the presents with me, if you'd like."

I agreed and we continued onto the boutique.

The boutique was very beautiful. It had lots to offer but Rosalie picked out what she knew Edward and Alice would like. Which was great by me, I didn't know them. Alice's gift was a very beautiful silver necklace with a pearl pendant. Edward's gift was a nice cologne. Rosalie also picked out a bottle of wine to give to them.

As I was walking out the door of the boutique, a man ran smack into me, dropping his cup to the ground, spilling all down my shirt in the process.

"Watch where you're going!" the man exclaimed at me as he begins to walk away. Not thinking to pick up his half spilled drink.

"Sorry." I mumbled softly, looking down at the ground.

Rosalie then emerges from the store as he's walking away. "Hey!" and just as the man turns around, his cup, and what's left of his drink, drills him right in the face.

Rosalie grabs my hand, pulling me from my statue position. "Come on Bella. Let's go."

Just then we hear the man yell "you get back here, you bitch!" I look back and he is starting towards us.

"Rosalie…I think we better run."

"No…" she began as she looked back also, "run Bella!"

We ran as fast as we could, weaving through groups of people. Slowly getting ahead of the man. We mazed our way through blocks, taking sharp turns around the corners. Then finally it hit me, I knew where we were and where we should go. I grabbed Rosalie's hand and guided her through. Finally I pulled her into a book store. But this was not just any book store. This book store had great meaning to my family and me. I pulled Rosalie to the back of the store and Paul, an older man in his seventies, saw me.

"Miss Swan, it is so good to see you again! Wait, what is all over your shirt? Are you okay?" Paul asked.

"Hi Paul. I'm so sorry but can you hide us really quick. I will explain it all after it's over. Please, Paul." I pleaded.

"Of course, Miss Swan!" Paul answered without second guessing me. "Judith, come here please."

Out emerged Judith from the back room. "Yes, honey? Oh hello, Miss Swan!"

I smiled.

"Judith, I need you to take Miss Swan and her guest in the back and up to our room for a few moments to hide please." Paul stated.

"Of course. Come here my dears, this way."

We shuffled behind Judith into the back room and followed her over to the bookcase on the left wall. She pulled a book from the bookcase and it began to move. I could feel Rosalie's eyes on me. I couldn't look at her and she knew it.

There behind the book case was a staircase up to where Paul and Judith lived. We followed her upstairs to a door where she let us into their home.

"Make yourself comfy, my dears. I'll go back down and help Paul."

I smiled a thank you as she closed the door behind us.

I could feel Rosalie looking at me. I had to face it some time. I turned around stating, "So…that's Paul and Judith."

Rosalie reacted differently than I was expecting. Unlike being upset or angry, she just smiled and replied with half a chuckle, "yeah, I gathered that much. They seem nice!"

"They are."

"That bookcase was pretty awesome," she smiled.

"Yeah, it's a long story. But they don't do anything illegal!" worried that Rosalie would think ill of these great people.

"I didn't say they did."

"Okay. They're good people."

"They seem like it," still smiling, "how'd you meet them, Bella?"

"It's not important." I answered a little too fast.

"Okay. Well, thank you, Bella. I didn't know you were some kind of Bond girl!" she laughed.

I smiled, appreciating her accepting my answer and trying to make me laugh. Just then the door to the apartment opened interrupting. Judith came in telling us that the coast was clear. I thanked her and Paul back in the book store, and Rosalie and I made our way back to her car.

"Let's go get you cleaned up, Bella."

"Okay." I accepted.

When we got back to my apartment, Harry saw my clothes and concern sunk into his face. I gave him a smile and a nod that I was okay. He seemed content with my answer although I know he was concerned.

We reached my floor without a word being said.

I stuck my key into the slot and unlocked the door, walking inside. I stopped and stared at the ground. Trying to get the courage to look her in the eyes. "Rosalie, thank you for what you did. And I'm sorry I snapped at you back at Paul and Judith's."

Silence.

I finally got the courage to look up at her. She was smiling, "Of course, Bella. Thank you for saving me too. Now lets go get you cleaned up so we can pick up this cake and get to the party!"