Chapter 10

"Thanks again so much for having me, Esme, Carlise!"

"It was our pleasure, Bella. You're welcome back anytime." Carlise replied as he leant in to kiss my cheek, still holding Esme's hand.

"Bye, Mom, Dad" Alice hugged them both and made to get a quick getaway. I was pretty certain at the point why the quick leave was wanted but I was determined to put it off as long as possible. I wasn't ready to spill about what went down in the bathroom but I was worried that there was only so much interrogation I could withstand.

The whole car ride home, Alice and Rose chatted about the latest fashion trend, work and celebs while I sat in the back of the car scheming about how to get out of the Bella interrogation. I was guessing at this point that my chances of making it out of this alive weren't high but hey, I had to try!

"So Bella," Rose wrapped her arm around my waist as Alice came at me from the other side. I gulped.

"Yes?"

"Do you want to come back to ours for a movie night? We can have a few drinks, some popcorn and a gossip." She raised her eyebrows at me and smirked. I looked back and forth between the two of them for a second panic stricken. I could not spill.

"I'm so sorry but I'm not feeling great. Period pains and all that jazz. Maybe another night." I tried to pull away but two sets of hands grabbed my arms and yanked me back in to place, pulling me towards the elevator.

"Aww, never mind. We'll take it easy and just chill and I'm sure we have some meds at ours anyway, right Rose?" Alice smirked at Rose knowing already that they had me under boot already. I sighed and relaxed my body allowing myself to be taken along.

"Okay but I'm not up for talking much." Alice sniggered.

"Don't worry; we have our ways, Bella." I sighed again. This could be a long night.

Over an hour and a half later we managed to get the first film on. I had been dragged in to the apartment – much to my duress – and pushed down on to the sofa. I hadn't even managed to take my jacket off before they were firing question after question at me. What had happened? (We had 'talked'). Why had we taken so long? (He had been talking about my heritage). What had I said to him to make him so quiet? (Nothing, quite literally. We had been too busy doing something else.) He had never reacted to anyone else that way. He was normally a charming, sophisticated man who could talk the pants of an old lady, I learned. So, why had he been so off with me?

I hadn't voiced these concerns to my new friends but sat contemplating the answer as we sat through the first gruelling chick flick. It was some crap about Justin Timberlake having a friend with benefits who then – conveniently – fell in love. Like that would ever happen in real life. The man would fuck the girl for about two months before he found his next play thing and she, being sweet and naïve, would fall in love with his charms and good looks and end up getting hurt. A harsh slap in the face of reality making her cynical and bitter for the rest of her life until she met someone else, let her defences down and the whole thing happened again except this time she would vow to never let it happen again – she would know that this guy was different and would let him in, taking down layer by layer of carefully built, steel defences. I surprised myself by being drawn from bitter thoughts by Alice and Rose calling my name.

"Bella, is everything okay? Why are you crying?" Rose shuffled over on the sofa and put her arm around me. Oops, I hadn't realised that I was crying. I hadn't cried for him in over six months and I didn't realise that he could still have that heart-wrenching effect on me. No, I thought, he doesn't. I was determined not to let him have this affect. I would – have – moved on. Or so I thought.

"Bella?" Alice asked this time. Wiping my tears, I sat up strong in a new mind set.

"I'm fine. This film is just so … sad." I glimpsed at the screen as the word slipped out and realised my mistake. It was Justin with his friend both looking happy. I quickly tried to recover. "I mean, look at them. It's going to end in tears." Alice and Rose shared a wide-eyed look like 'crazy cow over here'.

"Okay then." Rose slipped her arm back down to the sofa and moved away. Great. No matter how much I said that I didn't want a bundle of energy and the model for friends, I didn't want them thinking I was some weird, freak who cried at everything. I fought the urge to hit my palm against my forehead and just smiled instead, staring at the screen as I day dreamed.

I had promised myself when I walked out that night that they would be the only tears I shed for James but one little reminiscing moment broke me down and now they think I'm a freak. Could life get much worse?

I sat watching the rest of the film in silence as Rose and Alice alternated between me and Justin Timberlake who was currently getting it on with his co-star. As the final finished, Rose stood to get another one. She picked three out and held them up.

"Just go with it, bride wars or the ugly truth?" I shrugged. At this point, I couldn't care less. I just wanted this night to be over with as soon as possible. Rose and Alice had actually quite grown on me but I was tired and with the memories fresh in my mind, I knew it wouldn't be long before they caught up on me. Yawning, I opened my mouth to make up my excuses but was interrupted by a knocking at the door. Rose paused the movie and ran to answer it as the person banged again loudly.

"Alright, alright, I'm coming. Oh, hey Edward, what's up?"

"I need to talk to you – about Bella." My head whipped around in the direction of the door in shock. About me? Why would he come to talk to Rose about me? "You and Alice, together. I need to talk to someone." I waited with baited breath for Rosalie to answer hoping she would say no and kick him out.

"Sure, Edward. Come in to the kitchen, I'll make a drink. Alice," She called and Alice stood, walking past me after placing a comforting hand on my shoulder and smiling.

"Hey, Eddie." From where I was sat I couldn't see anyone but could just about hear what was going on. They exchanged pleasantries and then got down to the serious business as I heard cups being slurped from.

"So what's up?" Rose asked louder than normal. I could totally tell that it was for my benefit as I'm pretty sure they both knew something went on with Edward and as they didn't get anything from me, they were doing what they could to get something out of Edward. I just hope he didn't give anything away.

"It's Bella." I could imagine the smug look in his eyes. He didn't sound upset but annoyed and arrogant. "I don't know what to do about her. She's just so frustrating. She swanned in to our house, wearing clothes that showed off flesh and being loved by everyone yet when she came out during dinner she was a completely different person. She was so … so … out there and I just can't explain her. I suppose that if I didn't know her I would say up herself and deceptive but I think-" That was enough for me. I didn't even want to hear the rest. I picked up my bag and tore out of the apartment, slamming the door shut behind me.

Once inside mine, I leant against the door, my heart pounding against my chest. Arrogant pig! I went from being offended to being instantly riled. I was not going to stand for that! Throwing my door open and ready for a fight, I began to storm straight over there to give him a piece of my mind … when I was stopped by a solid wall which caught me as I flew backwards. I looked up quickly to apologise to the stranger but instead was met with a familiar pair of emerald green eyes.

"Bella," he said in a smooth, velvety voice. "I was just looking for you."