Authors Note-

Disclaimer- S. Meyer owns all things Twilight

BPOV

" Your actually dressed this time! Congrats, Bella." Edward stated, strolling into my bedroom.

I flipped him the bird and turned onto my back " Oh, Edward. I saw you staring, we all know that you liked what you saw. I mean, how can I blame you. Your poor girlfriend stuffs her bra with fake boobs that you buy from the drug store."

His mouth dropped slightly " That's not nice. Tanya is just... insecure. Don't pick on her."

I rolled my eyes " Okay, whatever you say."

" Speaking of... Tanya is coming with us Christmas shopping. She do-"

The door whipped open, a annoyed Tanya walking through " Uh, Edward. Shouldn't we leave?"

" Iz needs to get her ass in the shower!" Edward said with a laugh, grabbing my wrists and pulling me out of bed. He shoved me in the direction of the bathroom and I tripped into the door frame.

" Ow." I said plainly.

" Whoa there clumsy. Don't want you to start bleeding so early in the day." Edward joked.

I slapped his arm and he slapped mine back. I shoved him hard, making him fall and catch himself on my bed. As he was lunging towards me I shut the bathroom door, making him hit it with a thud . I giggled and walked towards the shower.

" Wow, that was stupid." I heard Tanya snear.

" Well, thats just how Bella and I are." Edward defended.

" Whatev."

I turned on the shower and stepped into the hot water. Trying to ignore the words of Tanya playing in my head. Once I was all clean I stepped out and brushed my teeth thoroughly, and flossing. I yawned and rubbed my hands over my face, still not awake after the shower.

When I heard no noise in my bedroom I took that as the sign of them being gone. I opened the door and saw my room was infact empty. Quickly I locked the door and stripped the towel off. I ran stark naked to my drawers and slipped on underwear and a bra. My skinny jeans came next and then I grabbed a long sleeved grey and black striped shirt and a pair of silver flats with a little black ribbon.

I sighed and went to the bathroom. I straightened my hair and did my make-up, I lined my eyes in black eyeliner and skipped from my room, bag in hand.

They were downstairs, shamelessly making out in my foyer. Maybe I should get a boyfriend and make-out infront of Edward and see what he feels like. The heart cracking feeling.

I sighed before speaking " I'll go alone if you would like to continue this here." I stated.

Edward broke away with a smack and I grabbed my keys.

" I'm gonna take my car."

" Why?" Edward demanded.

" I've got a shift at six so I'll have to split." I eleborated, grabbing my jacket and hopping outside.

Tanya followed me and Edward locked up the house for me, like he normally did when we went out.

" Cute shoes." Tanya said. Dare I say, sincerely?

I whipped my head around and stared at her. She smiled at me, a weird look in her eyes. I looked down at her boots and smiled sincerely.

" Thanks, so are yours." I said with a fake smile plastered on my face.

I slipped into my car and started it up. Edward held Tanya's hand to his car and opened the door for her. I looked down at my hands and took a deep breath before getting out on the roads, making a trip downtown to the mall.

---

Somehow I ended up alone, in a store filled with wallets, purses, suitcases and briefcases. Edward had just bailed, and said not a thing. I only figured it out when I tried saying something to him, realizing that I was talking to an old lady who looked at me as if I were crazy.

I stood in the store, looking for a nice, black leather briefcase for my best friends father. Some were burgundy, which wasn't my favorite color. I wanted black leather damn it! I wouldn't get him something that I personally wouldn't want.

Finally when I found what I was looking for, I examined it. There was a gold colored plaque that was small and rectangular, used to be engraved with a name or something. Making sure that the edges weren't stretched or ripped, I brought it to the counter and asked for Carlisle Cullen to be engraved into the plaque.

He told me to come back in a half hour and I was off to search for a gift for Esme. I had gotten my father a few new flannel shirts, that weren't faded, and a gift card for him to the coffee shop, where he stopped to get coffee everyday since we moved here. I also got him a pair of new gym shoes, since his were all battered.

My mother's gift I had found in a little store downtown. It was a beautiful antique lamp with different jewels and stones in the lamp shade. The base was a french pale gold and it was beautiful. My mother loved things like that to place in the house.

I came to a stop by a jewelery store when something caught my eye. With my bags in hand I walked in the store. There was a goregous sterling silver charm bracelet with a heart charm attatched. The note next to it said that it was to be engraved with words, names etc... The price was a little much, but no higher then my mothers gift.

I walked to to a worker and asked her if she could take it out so I could see it.

" Of course. Here."

She grabbed a key and opened the cabinet, taking it out and setting it on the counter. I stared at it in awe. I knew Esme would love it to peices.

" Is one fifty five the full price?" I asked her.

" When you buy something over one hundred and twenty then you get a ten percent off discount."

I smiled " Okay, I would like to purchase it and get it engraved. How long would that take."

" It's pretty slow today... Give me twenty minutes and I will get it finished. Just write down what you want and it's set."

I wrote 'Esme' down on a peice of paper and slid it towards her. I bid her goodbye and headed to pick up the briefcase for Carlisle. When I walked in the store it was all ready paid for when I had left previously. I thanked the man before grabbing the bag and walking around the store. I wandered for awhile until I went back.

There was still five minutes left but I was a little tired from carrying all the bags, and pissed at Edward for just bailing on me. Tanya always made him turn into a jerk around me, it was like she was some evil witch that could control people...

The lady came out and I went up to the counter, collecting up the bracelet and looking at it. It was engraved beautifully in an elegant script.

" Thank you so much.. Do you take debit?"

" Yes we do, slid here."

I slid my card through and entered my pin. Once it was finalized she gave me a receipt and I walked out of the store. I didn't bother to search for Edward I just went to my car and loaded it up. My shift was in a hour and I needed to tell him I was leaving. I leaned against the back and took my phone out, sending him a text.

Thanks for ditching. I'm leaving now for my shift, so... bye.

It wasn't anything mean, but I did want to get it through him that he was rude for just ditching. I stared up the car and headed home.

I inconspicuously got everything upstairs to my bedroom and into my closet. I frowned at the iPod touch I got Edward and closed the closet door with a thud.

My phone dinged, meaning I got a text.

sry.c u l8r

" What the fuck?" I asked myself, throwing my phone on my bed.

---

"I SAID I WAS SORRY! Can't you accept and get over it?!" Edward yelled at me, bursting through my bedroom.

" Is this Tanya's Edward, or the actual Edward? I am confused right now." I stated, taking off my nametag and throwing it on my dresser.

He rolled his eyes " Hilarious, Isabella. So, I ditched you, who cares?"

" Most definately Tanya's Edward. Get out, Edward. I am not going to deal with this shit."

" Your the one who was all, thanks for ditching me. Why didn't you just tell me before leaving." he mimicked. I could defianetly smell the alcohol in his breath.

" I DIDN'T SAY IT MEANLY! I just said, it would of been nicer to just tell me before going off. Your always so fucking- nevermind. Get out of my room, I am too tired to deal with this."

He laughed without humor " Perfect, Isabella. With her stupid job, fabulous grades and the perfect life!" he screamed.

I sat down on my bed and set my hat down next to the nametag.

" She doesn't smoke, has guys crawling all over her!" he continued.

" Stop it." I said sternly, feeling the tears well up.

I had no idea why he was taking the situation this far. He had no right to yell at me, and drag it on so far. The tears threatened to fall, and I tried to fight them, not wanting to show him any weakness. I could tell that he must of been drinking, I just didn't know why he was taking his anger out on me.

" Always the perfect fucking role-model!"

Charlie came into the room " Edward, I think you should go home. Now."

Edward glared at me fiercely before leaving the room, basically shoving Charlie against the door. I covered my face with my hands and let the tears fall.

" Why is he doing this all of a sudden? Why is he taking it out on me?" I said through tears.

My father sat down and wrapped his arm around my waist. " I just think he is with the wrong crowd right now, sweetheart. Esme and Carlisle are great parents, they will straighten it out and he will be sorry when he wakes up tomorrow."

" Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. He'll probably just go to Tanya's."

I heard footsteps through my door.

" Isabella, Esme is on the phone. She wants to talk to you, honey."

I wiped my tears and grabbed the phone. My father kissed my temple and stood, he put his arm around my mom and led her out of the room to give me privacy.

" Hello?" I asked

" Dear, I am so sorry. Your mom just sent him over and Carlisle is talking to him upstairs in his bedroom. I promise you we'll straighten this out, sweetheart. This won't happen again and if it does then that Motorcycle is going straight back where it came from."

" It's okay. I'll see you tomorrow. Love you,"

" You, too. Get some sleep."

" I will."

I hung up the phone and laid on my bed. I shed my work pants and shirt, lying under the covers in my underwear, letting my tears soak the pillow. I had never been so hurt by him, ever. Edward was always such a great guy, always a good head on his shoulders. Then he has these sudden outbursts where he does his usual out of character and then I am the one who gets dumped on.

'Perfect life'

If he only knew how far from perfect my life was.

---

When the tears stopped falling I fell asleep around two in the morning. My body drained of any energy, with a deep sigh from my lips I drifted off under the comforters only to be softly awoken by Esme in the morning around ten thirty.

Her hand pressed gently against my shoulder, just enough to wake me up. I rubbed my hand over my slightly sore eyes and yawned.

" Were going to be starting to make dinner around twelve. I figured I would wake you to see how you are?"

" Okay," I rasped with a dry-throat.

She handed me a glass of water and I sat up to drink it. I gulped it down quickly and felt my throat feel better. She handed me a wet cloth for my eyes and I let it rest for a few minutes before getting up.

" I'm going to go downstairs and let you bathe and dress."

" Alright. Thanks, Esme."

" Of course, dear."

She left my room and locked it on her way out. I slid out of bed and started up the water as I stripped out of my clothes. I made my shower last, not wanting to leave the warmth. Soon I had to shut it off and pulled the curtain back. I wrapped a towel around my body and my hair before walking into my bedroom.

I slipped on a pair of dark wash jeans and a red v-neck sweater. I put on a pair of white socks and my black converse before taking my hair out of the towel. I used a thin comb to get the tangles out and dried my hair. Once my hair was finished and curled I barely bothered with make-up. I used powder under my eyes to get rid of the purple and put on some cherry chapstick.

When I got downstairs I could faintly hear Christmas songs playing in the backround. Normally we flew out to London and spent Christmas with Carlisle and Esme's parents, and my fathers parents, and my mothers mom. We were all so close, our family, the friendships went on for generations. This year, they said we were going to stay here, but were going next year until New Years. That, I was looking forward to.

Slowly I walked into the kitchen, a little surprised to see that Edward was nowhere to be seen. I helped them prepare the small turkey and ham, along with the small vegetable dishes.

Around dinner time, I expected him to come, but he didn't.

I wouldn't be surprised if he was with Tanya, spending Christmas with her. He probably though of her as better company then me anyways. I barely touched my food all night and when we were handing out gifts to eachother, I felt a bit of emptiness.

The gifts from Edward and I were opened on Christmas Eve, and the presents our parents gave eachother were opened. I sat on the couch, staring at the television that was playing A Christmas Story a milllion times.

I went up to my bedroom and saw the silver and red wrapping paper, the gift behind the paper for Edward. There was ribbon on it and everything. Silently I picked it up and grabbed my black peacoat.

Edward wasn't home when I walked in his bedroom, so I just set his gift on his unmade bed and left.

" Where did you go?" Renee asked when I walked back in the house.

" I just dropped Edward's gift off."

Esme and Carlisle grabbed their own jackets, slipping them on. It was already eight at night and it was now time for them to leave. They both gave me a big hug and wished us a Merry Christmas before going out into the falling snow.

" I'm going to go to sleep. I'll see you guys in the morning." I informed my parents.

" Thanks for the gifts, Isabella. You didn't have to but thank you."

I gave them both a kiss on the cheek and trudged upstairs to my bedroom. This day wasn't turning out like I wanted it. I just wanted to forget what happened with Edward and just talk to him again. We always spent Christmas night together. It was a tradition, but as I walked into my bedroom, I felt even more emptier when it was empty.

What was I expecting? For him to be sleeping in my bed already?

I threw off my clothes and got into bed. Down the hall I could hear my parents bedroom door closing. I wondered if Edward opened my gift, or if he was even home at this time. My phone buzzed beside me and I grabbed it, seeing it was a text from Jasper.

I figured since he's your best friend you would want to know that he was over at Tanya's spending Christmas with her, and Alice and Rose were also there. He didn't do much, but he told me what happened last night and he said that he was really upset at himself for how he treated you. Merry Christmas, Izzy.

- Jasper

Jasper was always a good, sincere guy. Alice was really lucky to have someone like him. I texted him a quick message, that didn't mention Edward and clicked send. Merry Christmas, Jasper -Iz

-----

December 25th

Sunday

Christmas

-----

Christmas officially sucked this morning. Everything was just foreign and wrong, normally we would go over the Cullens and opened the gifts Esme and Carlisle got Edward and I. Then we would switch and Edward and I would open the gifts we got from my parents.

Instead I sat by the tree, there was a huge rectangular present leaning against the wall, a blanket thrown over it. There was an envelope. Two actually, one was from Carlisle and Esme.

I ripped open the first envelope from my parents and saw a gift card to Home Depot. There was a little over a hundred dollars on it. I stared at them, clearly confused. They pointed to the huge object and I stood to rip off the blanket. Still in it's wrapping, was a box spring and a full sized bed.

" Seriously!" I all but yelled.

I hugged them both tightly " Thank you so much."

" Well, your seventeen, you need a bigger bed. And I figured that you could get rid of the cot?"

My mood shifted just as easily " Um, I guess."

I sat down next to them on the couch and took a deep breath.

" Things will straighten out, honey." My father assured me, wrapping an arm around my waist. I leaned against him, resting my head on his shoulder.

My mother patted my knee and picked up the Home Depot card. " You can get your room re-painted with this, get all the supplies needed and go over those ugly olive walls."

I laughed " They are a little ugly."

She handed me the other envelope and I slowy opened the top, ripping it. Inside was a three hundred dollar Visa Gift Card from them, which was to use for anything. I slipped it out of the white envelope and held it.

" I best thank them after I dress." I stated

" That would be best. They aren't spending here Christmas today because Edward is home and it's not a good time. But we are going to be going out to dinner since we made it last night. I made reservations for Williamson's and we are leaving at four thirty. So you can go over there before that."

I smiled " Thanks for the gifts. I am so thankful."

" You deserved it honey. Now we will keep the mattress down here until you paint the bedroom and then you can re-decorate as you wish."

I stood up from my spot on the couch and told them I was going up to my bedroom to shower. I set the gift cards down on my dresser and stared at the cot. Should I rid it?

---

Later once I was dressed I went over to the Cullen's. They were in the kitchen and Esme was making dinner for them. She was surprised to see me, but was happy nonetheless. Edward wasn't around, and I was glad for that. I wasn't ready to forgive him so easily. I still wondered if he opened my gift

" I just wanted to drop by quickly, and thank you so much for the gift card. It didn't have to be so much but thank you anyways." I thanked her, hugging her tightly.

" Of course, sweetie. Merry Christmas."

Carlisle was in the living room, watching A Christmas Story. It was just one of those movies that you couldn't get tired of, no matter how many times it's watched. I plopped down next to him and wrapped my arms around him tightly.

" Thank you, Carlisle." I murmured.

" You deserved it, honey. Use it wisely." he chuckled.

I kissed his cheek and stood up, he wished me a 'Merry Christmas' and gave him one back before heading to the kitchen. I bid her a goodbye and made my way to the foyer just as Edward was bounding down the stairs.

He paused for a moment infront of me. Dark purple streaks had taken a residence under his eyes, but at this time, I had to ignore it. He has to come to me this time. This had to do with him and I had nothing to apologize for.

As he was about to open his mouth I brushed past him and opened the front door, I closed it and jogged back home.

----

My break was over on Monday, January 9th. Today was New Years Eve and my father, being the hopeless romantic he is, had planned a surprised trip to take my mother to Colorado to stay in a ski-resort until the fifth. My mom was bouncing off the walls excited, but she worried about me.

The plan that Charlie came up with; was for me to stay with the Cullen's because they didn't want me alone. I told them that because of the situation, I just wanted to stay home, paint my room and do whatever I wanted.

So here I stand, in the kitchen surrounded by six bottles of sparkling grape juice, three red and three white, and a brand new bottle of wine, Shiraz to be exact. I jogged up to my bedroom, all of the bottles in my arms. I held a wine glass and poured a cup of the red sparkling grape juice.

" Happy New Year's Eve to me." I mumbled, gulping half of the full wine glass down.

---

What had possesed me to run around the house in my lacey boyshorts and a tanktop?

No fucking clue, all I know was that I was dancing and running around, just having a good time. Nobody was here to bother me and I could run free. I danced infront of the fridge happily and then suddenly remembered that there were reservations to dinner.

I called up the resturaunt and canced the reservation. The person talked enthusiastically and I hung up and called up 'The Village', they delivered occasionally. If I just turned on the charm.

" Well, I was just wondering if you would make an exception. I come often and would REALLY appreciate if you could get someone to deliver."

The guy on the line sighed " Fine. Whats your order?"

"Mushroom Ravioli."

" Address?"

" 1901 West Diversey Parkway."

I hung up the phone and continued to dance around the house. I did a little laundry, dusting and vacuuming. The door rang about twenty minutes later, and I was a little surprised because it was kinda quick for the delivery.

Without caring about what I was wearing, I just walked to the front door and cracked it open. Seeing the last person I thought that I would see again today. He stood, wearing his jacket, covered in bits of snow. He held a small box in his hand, and an apologetic look on his face.

" Yeah?" I asked quietly.

He held out the box and I took it, and set it on the table below where my father held his gun. I stood awkwardly by the door, slightly shivering from the cold.

" I just wanted to give you your present, and wish you a Merry Christmas. Thank you for my gift, I didn't deserve it. At all."

I shrugged " It was nothing. Merry Christmas."

" Bella, it's a 32 gig and it costs like three pay checks for you. Why am I such a shitty friend?"

Nervously I bit my lip " You're not. Right now, you just need to get shit together. But in the mean time, I won't be the person you yell at when your drunk." I said quietly, shutting the front door.

I grabbed his gift and walked into the living room. When I sat on the couch I stared at it for a moment. The blue paper mocking me. Slowly I ripped it off and saw a white box. I lifted the cap and inside there was a goregous tennis bracelet with emerald stones and diamonds. The elagence of it took me away. I clasped it on and it fit perfectly.

I stared at my wrist, seeing how it looked. With a sigh I slipped the bracelet off, setting it into the box. I went upstairs and put it in my bedroom. I grabbed a pair of sweatpants from my drawer just as I heard the doorbell ring.

I jogged downstairs, now wearing sweatpants. The delivery boy smiled at me and gave me the styrofoam package. I gave him the right amount of money, and a tip because he drove here and then shut my front door.

The ravioli was still nice and warm so I went upstairs to my bedroom and proceeded to drink all the sparkling grape juice.

----

Midnight started to roll around and I was watching the ball drop on television. They had bands playing and everything. I poured a glass of the wine and laid in bed, eyes glued to the television. I had to come up with a New Years resolution, something good.

I wouldn't let Tanya's relationship with Edward ruin my year.

I just wanted a year full of happiness and joy. A year where I can finally relax and become content with lifes occurances. At this moment, I wondered where Edward was.

He was probably at the Denali's because Tanya was throwing a huge New Years bash, and he was probably getting ready to kiss her about now as the clock counted down from ten. I desperately wanted to be the girl that he kissed in the beginning of the New Year.

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" HAPPY NEW YEAR!" the television screamed as the ball dropped, sending confetti of all different colors flying in the air. People screamed and loud horns went out.

The camera turned as people in the crowd grabbed their mates and placed loving kisses on their lips. I stared at the television, watching the couples, and possibly new couples.

I took a long pull from my wine glass, ignoring the slight burn in my throat.

Authors Note-

Well, it seems as though my inbox has gone on a review diet. I am afraid that if you guys don't feed it, it may starve to death. We wouldn't want that to happen, would we? A simple smiley face is all it takes for me to be motivated!