Monday Funday (said nobody ever)...I spent the weekend attending high school graduations, tailgating a Kenny Chesney concert with some college friends and screaming my lungs raw as Don Draper broke Sally's heart into a million pieces. It's time to get back to the weekday grind.

We're back to this little ditty again and I feel like I owe everyone an apology because of last week. Everyone had the same opinion of one: Edward Cullen, butthead. The general consensus was that there should be stake burning and angry mob forming of some sort. Is there absolutely nothing that can be done to make things better? Maybe Edward's somewhere listening to you? Maybe there's a logical reason for why he torpedoed everyone's hopes and dreams... Or that he doesn't care about anyone or anything... Who knows WHAT he's thinking, who cares, He's an ass, right?! I guess it's time for Bella to go back to real life, she is after all a 'glorified exotic dancer'... What a prick.

Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns all of Twilight, I'm just living in a fantasy world.

"Now, I'll be at the bar with you guys and the dancing podium you're assigned to tonight is close enough that I can look out for you there. It's only Monday so there won't be anything too crazy happening anyway."

I touched up Kristie and Jen's goddess makeup as I tried to pep talk everyone. Bree and Heather would be with me at the bar and they'd take a break and rotate at midnight. I beamed like a proud stage mom when we introduced them to all the girls that worked at the club this earlier. Rosalie had catered an early dinner for the whole club so that everyone could meet the newest editions. Most of the girls had been really receptive to the new group and gave them tips on dancing and bartending. I was confident in the girl doing well before, but after what was undoubtedly one of the most humiliating nights of my life, I was set on them exceeding every expectation and being great. They wouldn't have to prove anything to anyone if they showed people that they were great at what they did.

The days following my date from hell couldn't be spent moping all day. Angela had apologized to me numerous times for 'forcing my hand with a stupid bet'.

"It's not your fault he was a dick. Really, I don't even care about it anymore." That was a lie that needed convincing.

"You have no right to try to make me feel alright about handing you over to that jerk!"

"I do need to, because if I really didn't want to go, I wouldn't have gone in the first place. You didn't hand me over to anyone; I needed to put myself out there. What's done is done."

I didn't tell Angela about the good parts of the date; the fun banter, our shared interests, the number of times I couldn't control the smile that he'd conjure out of me. If I didn't focus on the good and only emphasized on the sucky part of the night, I wouldn't feel like I'd maybe missed out on something that could've been different but comfortable at the same time. Angela didn't press me for details and only tried to make me feel better. She even tried to recruit Maggie for a 'who needs guys' night out; thankfully, I could use the club practicing as an excuse to not be a part of the festivities.

Rosalie was finally pleased with the drink making so the days were split between pole work, cardio and what she dubbed 'flash muscle toning' at a gym close to the studio. There were abdominal workouts, leg workouts and arm workouts so by the time I got home all I wanted to do was sleep. I usually ate healthy, and would jog with Angela if the weather allowed it or attempt to get through the yoga lessons that were on our On Demand menu, but the goddess work done at the club counted, to me, as sufficient exercise. Since I hadn't been in Cyprus in weeks, actual time spent in the gym left me sore, sweaty and sleepy. How Rosalie managed to do this during the day and run the club had confused me before, but now it was completely beyond my comprehension, she was probably inhuman.

"Bella, what if we fall? I didn't know the pedestals were so high up. What if I slip or something?" Kristie, who had always wanted to get straight to the club debut, was visibly the most nervous. 'What if someone asks for a drink we didn't practice?', 'What do I do if someone tries to touch me while I'm dancing?' 'What happens if there's a fight at the bar?' I'd smile and calmly answer whatever she'd ask while the other girls would wait for me to answer questions they hadn't even thought of asking. Eventually everyone ignored Kristie's nerves so that they wouldn't psych themselves out too much. I caught Bree rolling her eyes through the mirror she was sitting at as she focused on her breathing.

When I was finished with Kristie and Jen's shimmery goddess makeup, I let them touch up their hair. After putting Heather's hair in a French braid so that it would be wavy when she rotated into her goddess shift, I went to sit by Bree.

"Will I be okay?" The bartender makeup was a lot more natural compared to what the dancers wore. Rosalie didn't want patrons to realize the women that they fawned over were mixing their drinks so there was always a big contrast between the two. It sounded ridiculous but it worked for me; I'd never been figured out as a goddess when I was working on the floor.

"You look great and you know what you're doing, you've practiced for weeks." I stood up to put her hair in a high ponytail.

"But will I be okay?"

"How do you feel?"

"Nervous."

"Are you more nervous than Kristie?"

"No", she smiled and messed with her eyeliner.

"Okay. That means that your nerves are normal, which is good. How else do you feel?"

"I'm a little excited."

"Then I think you'll be phenomenal tonight. Excitement is great; its over-confidence will shut you down the minute you're up there." She sighed. "If Rosalie Hale doesn't think you'll screw up why do you think you will?"

"I guess you're right."

"And I know that I'm right."

Before it was time to for the doors to open, everyone went to their places in the different parts of the club. Kristie had calmed down a lot more when she saw how close the security guards were to the dancers.

Rosalie made her rounds and told the girls that she knew that they'd do a great job and then to the front door to tell the bouncers to start letting people in. Earlier in the day she asked me to be extra attentive to them since everything was new but she was her usual 'Rosalie the Ice Queen' self that everyone else was accustomed to. I guess she was appointing herself 'bad cop' tonight.

The first few hours were simple enough; since it was only Monday nobody was really trying to get wasted. Almost everyone ordered whatever was on the Monday drink special list and I could see that Bree and Heather were starting to get used to their surroundings. Kristie and Jen had relaxed on their podium and I could tell that they were focused on feeling instead of looking out at everyone. I was sure that if Rosalie wasn't on the floor she was in her office taking notes on everything happening.

Joanna was at the center bar with us and as even though it was evident that this was a big deal to me, she couldn't seem to make things easier for the newest bartenders. I'd noticed that she'd go out of her wait to not reflexively help one of them like she would with anyone else or she'd wait until one of them asked her something two or three times before she responded.

"Joanna, could you give me a hand over here?" The club had been open for a few hours and people were starting to feel like effects of the alcohol that they'd consumed. There were four people trying to get Heather's attention while she was making a drink and they were all focused on her serving them.

"Sorry, I'm kinda busy over here." Joanna grabbed the bottle opener she kept clipped on her belt loop, opened a Corona for a guy sitting a stool, wiped off the counter, and turned around to the register closest to her. Before I knew it, Bree was by Heather's side filling orders and trying to control the crowd like it was nothing. Heather huffed and gave Bree a thankful smile as they took care of everyone trying to get a drink.

I didn't realize what time it was until Kristie and Jen walked behind the bar, faces clear of the glitter and mystery that I'd camouflaged them in earlier. Heather and Bree printed out their register receipts and I hurried them backstage to change; I didn't want the more 'spirited' group to be out at the bar with Joanna for too long without a buffer. I felt better about not being away for too long when I saw Rosalie walking on the floor.

They sat for a minute to gather themselves, visibly flushed with their success so far. "Ok, girls, the hard part is over. You did great out there and the night will be over in a few hours." I told them to take off their makeup so I could get them ready for the second rotation and checked my phone. Maggie and Angela had texted me earlier about breakfast later but all I really wanted to do was take a nap. I was really going to miss sleeping during the vampire shift.

When I was finishing up their makeup Rosalie came in and asked me to go back out to the bar so she could speak to the new goddesses. I gave them both a nervous smile and walked out to the club.

Back on the floor I had made sure Kristie and Jen were okay with their load; it seemed like the confidence boost from dancing was working in their favor because their movements were fluid and assured.

I wasn't sure what had happened in the half hour that I was in the dressing room but once I had gotten back into the swing of serving people, Jo had whispered, "These new girls kill me, B."

"Excuse me?" I handed a cranberry and vodka to a girl and put the tip she handed me in my apron, trying not to shoot Jo a stink eye.

"They're just so sure of themselves. They're newbies and need to be taken down a notch, especially that Kristen girl, she—"

"Kristie," I corrected Joanna.

"Whatever. She had the nerve to try to steal one of my customers."

"Jo, give her a break. They've all worked really hard."

"You like these little brats? They're practically our competition!"

I rolled my eyes. Since the crowd was starting to head back to the dance floor and I could see that all of my girls had a handle on things, I walked from behind the bar and headed to the employee bathroom that was by the DJ booth. I groaned when I realized that Jo was following me.

"I mean really, B, they're babies who think that just because the Ice Bitch coddled them that they can do whatever they want."

"Jo." I wanted to scream at her and her absurdity. "I don't get what your problem is. Give them a break and get over it. We're bartenders who work on tips and drink sales. They aren't your competition, everyone is your competition. I am your damn competition!"

"Bella, you're my friend! Have you really been gone so long that you don't get that I care about our jobs being on the line now that these younger girls are trying to take over?"

"You're insane. I know those girls and they're fun! You're going all 'Coyote Ugly' on them for nothing, get over yourself, Joanna."

I washed my hands and walked past Joanna to go back to the bar when I heard her mumble something, "Whatever you say… Ice Princess…"

"Excuse me?" She looked at me and raised an eyebrow then rinsed off her hands as well and left the bathroom. I huffed and tried to keep myself from screaming.

I tried not to let my irritation show too much once I was back out on the floor. Jen had a knack for talking people into top shelf drinks which made Kristie determined to outshine her. Kristie's irritation she showed towards me during the practices had evolved into playful ribbing between us. When there weren't people who needed to be served, there was a lot of laughing done between the three of us. I may have laughed a little harder than usual if I caught a grunt coming from Joanna, but I didn't care about her sour attitude.

Bree and Heather on the pedestal was also something to marvel at. I was happy to see that they had really taken my advice to heart to just feel and enjoy everything. There were some nerves, but considering the fact that this it was their first time dancing and that almost everyone in the club was saturated with drinks, they were just fine. The Monday night debut was going better than I'd hoped for. I'd have to do something special for them between tomorrow afternoon in the studio and Thursday night when they would be back for the weekend rush.

When last call came and went and everyone that worked at Cyprus was getting ready to go into the back area and get home, my little goddesses walked over to the center bar where I was wiping down the bar with Jen and Kristie. Joanna had gone into the back as quickly as she could and I couldn't find it in me to feel bad for her and her dramatized job security worries.

"You all did it! I'm so proud!" the four girls were grinning from ear to ear.

When we all headed to the back, they began to change, their highs not wearing off as some of the older girls gave them congratulations as they passed them by.

"Bella. My office." I was pulling my sweatshirt over my head and sighed as I heard Rosalie's heel clicks walk through the dressing room and then back towards her office.

"Close the door and sit." I tried to stifle a yawn and sat in the black armchair across from my boss.

"I know that you know that I watched the girls like a hawk tonight. How do you think they did?"

"They were amazing. I'm proud of them all."

"They were amazing because they got through the night or because they're talented?" Her eyes were on her computer screen but I knew her ears were focused on whatever I was going to say, a part of my thought that she wouldn't hesitate to take notes on what I said.

"Both, Rosalie," She began to type, "There were obvious nerves but they retained everything they learned, were charismatic with Cyprus visitors and seemed comfortable with their surroundings."

"What about with the rest of the staff?"

"The staff seems to be really supportive of the girls. Cyprus is a family and everyone accepted them enthusiastically."

"Everyone on the staff?"

I thought about Joanna's comments earlier in the night. She acted like a bitch but I still didn't want to get her in any trouble. "From what I could tell, yeah."

Rosalie looked up from her computer and stared at me. "Are you sure you want to go with that answer?" She could smell the bullshit in response. "I can see almost all of my club form my office, Bella. That window isn't there because I enjoy LED lights and watching people lose their inhibitions. I can sit right where I am and watch this establishment flourish; do you want to sit in front of me and say that everyone got along like peaches and cream?"

I slumped in the chair like sad dog that had been caught on the living room furniture. "There may have been a few people who felt… put out by the newest additions."

"Oh?" She began to type again, and looked at me when I stopped speaking, giving me a look that said, 'keep going, or else'.

"It's really nothing. I think that there's a little bit of concern that there will be…. favoritism in the club? I think in a few weeks once everyone gets to know everyone things will calm down, really."

"You can go, Bella. I'll see you this afternoon at the gym."

Was it just that easy? "Alright, goodnight." She didn't say anything as I walked out of her office and closed the door.

I walked back to my locker to get my things, thinking about the sleep I'd get to enjoy when I got home. I was surprised when I was driving out and saw someone standing by the gate to the employee parking.

"Bree?" I rolled down my passenger window and waved her over with my arm. She was wearing dark tights and the black hoodie she had on swallowed her small frame.

"Hey, Bella." She waved and gave me a tight grin.

"Do you need a ride?"

"No, no thanks. I'm waiting for my brother to come pick me up. He'll be here any minute."

It was almost 5am and since she was so huddled up in her hoodie I figured she'd been outside for a while. "Do you know how far he is?"

"No." she looked up the street at a car that was going by. Instead of turning down the one way street that the parking lot let out onto, it went straight and Bree sighed.

"When was the last time you talked to him?"

"Um… six?"

"This evening?"

"Yeah. I called him at midnight when we rotated and left him a message. He'll be here."

I sighed, "Get in the truck." She shook her head and opened her mouth to protest but I cut her off, "If you think I'm going to drive off in the middle of the night with you standing on the corner alone you're insane. Get in the damn truck so I can take you home. You'll call your brother on the way."

She slumped her shoulders and I reached over to unlock the door. "Where do you live, Bree?"

"In Central District?" She replied like she was asking me if it was okay for her to live there.

"Alright, I kinda know where that is but you're still going to have to give me directions."

"Bella, you really don't—"

"Bree, I'm taking you home whether you like it or not. Tell me which way to go."

She directed me without trying anymore opposition. When we got to her house twenty minutes later the sun was beginning to come up and I was yawning every thirty seconds. I noticed all the lights were off in the house that Bree told me to pull in front of.

"Thanks for this, Bella."

"Not a problem. If you ever need a ride let me know, I don't want you waiting outside like that again, and I mean it." I smiled at her and tried to stifle another yawn from my mouth as she hopped out of the truck with her things. I watched her walk into the small ranch house and close the door behind her before I pulled off in the direction I thought the highway was.

Getting lost a few times trying to navigate my way out of the neighborhood was what I expected to happen after I left Bree's house and it was close to six when I finally walked in the door. I could hear the shower running in the main bathroom and was happy when I plopped in my bed in just my underwear that Angela wasn't trying to channel her inner Christina Aguilera.

I was really going to hate the painful transition back to the vampire shift.