Chapter 7: Girls just wanna have fun and a makeover

I woke up extra early once again so I changed into a pair of yoga pants and a sports bra, sneakers and pulled my hair back to a tight braid. I inhaled a few bites of a granola bar and half glass of orange juice and joined Mike on our daily jog.

We run while joking and remembering fun facts from the day before in class. Mike looked like he wanted to ask me something and knowing Mike it was gonna be about the dance.

"Bella?"

He turned to face me as we sat on a bench for a couple minutes.

"Yeah?"

"Would you.. I mean we're friends and ... I want to... if you want" he stammered

"Mike, out with it" I wanted to help the poor guy

"?"

"What?"

"We're friends right?"

"Yes we are, but I didn't catch a word from what you just said"

Actually I did but making sure wouldn't hurt

"Would you come with me to the valentine's day dance?"

I blanched. I suppose I stayed silent for too ling because Mike turned to look at me, I shook myself.

"Are you going to be mad at me if we go as friends?"

I asked him. 'We just had this conversation a couple weeks ago damnit!'

"No of course not"

He hastily replied but I could see the disappointment and regret in his eyes. I immediately felt bad. Not only he and Angela overlooked my zombie months but took me back and I spent time alone with Angie. How bad can it be?

"That is if you don't mind going out with me Saturday night"

His head snapped up so fast I was afraid he might have broken a bone. He looked at me in the eyes for a few minute and then broke to a huge smile.

"As friends?"

"I was hoping that if it doesn't work we can be friends. I don't want to lose you; you've been a really good buddy."

"I'll pick you up"

And we got up and started to go back. I really hope I'm not making a mistake!

I got home while dad was having breakfast and after a quick shower where I realised I needed to do something with my hair - I looked like a brown mop - I went back downstairs. I was starving. Over a bowl of cereal and a cup of vanilla flavoured coffee, I asked dad to give me a ride to school since I didn't want to bring the Beast and have it break on me. He agreed and we left.

He dropped me off and I rushed to find Angela. She was happy but reserved about my date with Mike the following night and we decided to change our plans for tonight. We would go to Port Angeles since we both needed a nice visit to a hair salon and maybe new clothes. We shared a smile and headed for class.

Mike for his part had kept our upcoming evening together a secret so not everyone was down our throats and it had become easy to ignore Lauren and Jessica's comments. Although Jessica often looked at me with something close to regret in her eyes as soon as Lauren made a comment she was all there. I don't want or need friends like that. I told Angela about my car issues and said we could borrow her dad's car since he would stay at home tonight. We headed off to gym where we were instructed to a game of basketball and next week we would start aerobic. I didn't want to press my luck so I skipped out of the game and waited on the bleachers for it to end. Coach Clapp was used to me so he didn't object.

I waited at school to soak on some wanna-be sun light while Ben dropped Angie at home and she took the family car to come pick me up. I gave dad a quick call to let him know I'd in Port Angeles instead of Angies house and Mike went to work. 15 minutes later I and Angie were on the road.

First we went to a beauty shop. We got manicures and pedicures. I hadn't realised my nails were long enough to be good for a french manicure. My toenails were painted a nice red almost a bloody shade. It reminded me of James' eyes, and I shook my hair at that thought. I really have to get over that.

Angie had hers in a nice pale pink manicure and a dark hot pink pedicure. She is the preacher's daughter after all.

After that was the hair salon. Angie wanted to get rid of her bangs and I ... I don't know what I want. I just want a change. The hairdresser, a nice woman in her mid-thirties suggested a layered cut that would give my hair some volume without loosing much length and a few highlights. I smiled at that remembering how much I had missed the natural red my hair has in this constant cloudy weather and asked for the highlights to be reddish. Angie and I kept chatting so I didn't notice the time passing. In the end we were ready. Angie looks so good without all that hair in her face and I have to admit I look pretty hot. My hair was still long reaching right below my shoulder blades in a mess of dark brown, dark red and a few stay strands of a strange honey-copper-blond colour. It didn't look coloured and I like that. On the front I had layers framing my face long enough to be pulled back easily but short enough to look good. We smiled at each other and headed to a clothes store. Like I had said last year the selection was somewhat limited but after spending months of being Alice's life size Barbie doll I appreciate having few alternatives.

I got a couple pair of jeans (obviously not designers), a white one and a dark wash one, a few tops and blouses and since the weather was either lighting up or somehow I was becoming more resistant to the cold I added a couple pairs of shoes. I wouldn't' give up on my faithful sneakers but with Angie's help I managed to update and girly up my wardrobe without losing my own sense of fashion. I blushed when Angela showed me a hot pink strapless corset like top but in the end I decided to get it. I treated myself to a few pairs of undies and bras since I had started to feel unable to breath anymore in mine. Funny thing was that I didn't even reach half I had with me and it wasn't a lot.

On our way out of the clothing store we saw Jessica pulling in dressed for a night in town. We said hi and she joined us for dinner while waiting for Lauren. She didn't look happy we went shopping without her but to quote my favourite line from "Gone with the wind" = "Frankly my dear I don't give a damn". It was still early when we were done and Lauren texted Jess to tell her she wasn't coming so she invited us.

'Great, now I get to embarrass myself in front of a club full of people' I thought but when I saw the glint in Angie's eyes I immediately felt guilty for denying her and accepted. After an embarrassing and ear hurting squeal from Jess Angie and I took our purchases from her car, decided what to wear and went to the bathroom to change. We were done a few minutes later and met up right outside the stalls to check on each other. Angie looked really good in a white top with thin straps, a black skirt with small while print that reached her almost at the knees and a pair of black boots. A small white purse completed her outfit.

I, on the other hand was more revealing. The pink strapless top I just got, a denim distressed mini skirt and a pair of black sandals with a killer heel and a small pink purse identical to Angie's. I felt way too exposed but I have to admit I look hot. The new hairstyle and a quick makeup lesson by Angie and Jess consisting of a light makeup, a dash of mascara and a dark pink almost strawberry lip-gloss and I made my way shakily out.

Jess was wearing a black top with spaghetti straps, a black and red skirt and a pair of black killer heels and a red purse.

"Wow, you look hot girls. I really like your top Bella" Jess gushed.

"Thanks," I said, "Angela picked it actually. I had doubts"

"So shall we?"

The club was on the big side with a bar counter all along the left wall and the back. A big dance floor was in the middle and a lot of small tables all around. The bouncer took our ID's in the entrance and stumped our palms since we are underage and couldn't drink. We took a table near the dance floor and Jess went to get us soda drinks.

We ate our chips, laughed, talked, and drank; just relaxing with each other and having fun. We were sitting there, when Jess heard a song come one, "Oh I love this song. Come on guys."

"Not I," I said, "I don't want to fall straight on my face and embarrass us all."

Jess realized that we were not gonna follow so she left us and went to the dance floor. When she left we heard the song start, it was 'When I grow up' by the Pussycat Dolls. We just looked on as she started dancing.

"I did not know she could move like that." Angie said. I could only nod.

We were still watching her and saw a guy go up to Jessica. They saw as he tapped her on the shoulder and asked her to dance. Jess laughed and nodded.

Intro x2

Boys call you sexy (What's up, sexy)

And you don't care what they say

See, every time you turn around

They scream your name

Verse 1

Now I've got a confession

When I was young I wanted attention

And I promised myself that I'd do anything

Anything at all for them to notice me

Bridge:

But I aint complaining

We all wanna be famous

So go ahead and say what you wanna say

You know what it's like to be nameless

Want them to know what your name is

'Cause see when I was younger I would say

Chorus:

When I grow up

I wanna be famous

I wanna be a star

I wanna be in movies

When I grow up

I wanna see the world

Drive nice cars

I wanna have groupies

When I grow up

Be on TV

People know me

Be on magazines

When I grow up

Fresh and clean

Number one chick when I step out on the scene

Hook x2

Be careful what you wish for 'cause you just might get it

You just might get it

You just might get it

Verse 2

They used to tell me I was silly

Until I popped up on the TV

I always wanted to be a superstar

And knew that singing songs would get me this far

Bridge

Chorus

Hook x2

Be careful what you wish for 'cause you just might get it

You just might get it

You just might get it

Verse 3

I see them staring at me

Oh I'm a trendsetter

Yes this is true 'cause what I do, no one can do it better

You can talk about me

'Cause I'm a hot topic

I see you watching me, watching me, and I know you want it

As the song went into a prolonged beat we saw Jess start moving very similar to the way the PCD girls did in the video. We watched as they guy put his hands on Jess and shared a look. Deciding to step in before something bad happened I stood up and said,

"I am not letting her dance this song alone."

"She's not alone"

Angie pointed out with a smile, but lost it quickly when she looked at the pair dancing. The guy was pulling Jess closer to him and we were staring to feel unease. After all Jess came alone and we didn't want something to happen. I already had tainted memories of Port Angeles.

"Let's go."

We stood up, and made our way to the dance floor.

Chorus

Hook x2

Chorus

Hook x2

When we approached the guy looked at us with a smile and as I returned it Angie pulled Jess and they started dancing together, a moment later I joined them and together all three danced until the end of the song, and continued dancing as Pon De Replay came on. We danced to that as well. The dj came on and announced that they would start Karaoke soon.

Jess said she had to use the bathroom, and asked me to join her. Angie went to the bar to get us new drinks.

In the bathroom

"Girl you were amazing," Jess said.

"Thanks," I replied breathlessly, "I didn't know I could dance like this in heels."

"Thankfully you can" Jess laughed.

I joined her in laughter. We fixed our hair and Jess re-touched her make-up

"Now let's go back out, they're having karaoke and I want to hear some of those people sing."

I said as we made our way out of the restroom. We went back to the table and listened to people go up and sing; some were good, others were funny, and the rest had us covering our ears.

"Ok, now time for our random hour," the do said, "This is where we'll choose one random person from the crowd and have them sing the very next song that comes up."

Angie looked at Jess and smiled. It was random hour, but the choosing and the song wouldn't be random. She watched as the dj made a pretence of looking around the room, before coming to stop at their table,

"Ok, how 'bout that pretty little lady sitting there in that pink top."

I raised an eyebrow and pointed to myself

"Me?" she asked.

"Yes you," he said. I got up and sent a murderous look to my table mates. They both had the same innocent smile and were encouraging me, "Do it Bells."

"Oh what the hell, I'll do it,"

I said. They cheered me as I made my way to the stage and took the mike. I looked out at the crowd while cold sweat was pouring down my back, then down at my friends. They were laughing and cheering me on. I turned my attention back to the dj,

"Ok your song is 'Strong enough' by Cher."

"Ok." I took a deep breath and waited for the words, when they did I started;

I don't need your sympathy

There's nothing you can say or do for me

And I don't want a miracle

You'll never change for no-one

And I hear your reasons why

Where did you sleep last night?

And was she worth it, was she worth it?

Cause I'm strong enough to live without you

Strong enough and I quit crying

Long enough, now I'm strong enough

To know you gotta go

There's no more to say

So save your breath and walk away

No matter what I hear you say

I'm strong enough to know you gotta go

So you feel misunderstood

Baby have I got news for you

On being used, I could write a book

But you don't wanna hear about it

Cause I've been losing sleep

And you've been going cheap

And she ain't worth half of me, it's true

Now I'm telling you

That I'm strong enough to live without you

Strong enough and I quit crying

Long enough, now I'm strong enough

To know you gotta go

Come hell or waters high

You'll never see me cry

This is our last goodbye, it's true

I'm telling you

Now I'm strong enough to live without you

Strong enough and I quit crying

Long enough, now I'm strong enough

To know you gotta go

There's no more to say

So save your breath and walk away

No matter what I hear you say

I'm strong enough to know you gotta go

The entire club erupted into cheers.

The girls were standing up clapping and cheering.

"Whoo, way to go Bells."

I walked off the stage blushing and laughing. I couldn't believe the song that I had been chosen to sing. 'That song was too close to home.' She looked over at the table and saw Jess and Angie with a mischievous smile on their faces. 'I bet they had something to do with it.'

I walked up to the table with a smile on my face,

"That was so much fun. I'm glad you guys talked me into it."

"We can tell you had fun," Angela said.

We all exchanged looks and broke into a loud laughter.

"So, what now?" I asked.

"We're at a club," Jess said, "What do you think is going to happen next but dancing and drinking."

"OH no," Angie said, shaking her head when she saw Jess excited,

"We're underage"

"And driving" I piped. "Do you really want a cruiser returning us to chief Swan?"

Jess's protests were cut off short at that and she nodded.

After that we drank some more, danced, laughed and even got picked up a few times. As if by a silent agreement neither Angie nor I mentioned my date next day with Mike. I was still apprehensive about it and I really hoped that at the end of it we could still be friends.

About 2 hours later, after a quick trip to the bathroom, we decided it was time to call it a night. We got outside and promised to make this a weekly event.

'A girl's night out just as dad wanted', I thought

We got into our respective cars and headed back to Forks. Angie dropped me off and I sent a quick text to Jess as promised to let her know I was ok. Dad was already asleep on the couch. I chuckled and gently woke him up. After making sure I was not a dream and really ok and at home dad raised an eyebrow at my outfit and went to bed. I followed his example after taking off the shoes. My feet were killing me!

I got ready for bed and confided about my day and tomorrow's plans to DD and slept like a charm.