Ok, so this chapter is a bit shorter than the rest. I'm still struggling a bit with the story, I have a million idea but am having a rough time tying them together, but I hope you're enjoying the story!! As always, feel free to review, constructive criticism is always welcome! I love to hear what everyone is thinking!
If I thought I had been floating before, well, then now, on the ride home from spending the day learning to snowboard I guess you could say I was soaring, soaring hopelessly through the clouds. My day with Edward was…perfect. I of course fell nonstop, I would actually risk to say that I spent more than double the amount of time on my butt as I did on my feet. But it didn't matter, Edwards patience with me was infinite. Not once did get short with me, not once did he get upset at my apparent inability to follow basic instructions, he didn't even mind helping me off the ground every time I fell.
I have the most amazing best friends in the world, no one could ever take their place, I love Alice and Jake just like family. However, Edward and his friends were almost just as amazing. They had a way of just making me feel carefree. All day I knew I was making a total ass of myself, and I'm sure I gave more than a few people a hilarious story to tell all their friends, but it didn't even matter, Edward, Emmett, and Jasper laughed with me, never at me. Rosalie on the other hand seemed to hate me more and more every second she was near me. I was starting to see she might have a bit of a thing for Emmett, she flirted in a very subtle ladylike fashion, Emmett of course being Emmett, incredibly simple and just laid back didn't seem to notice at all. I was guessing part of Rosalie's dislike for me was watching Emmett's play flirting with me all day. She had to be blind if she couldn't see he was joking, blind and a total idiot to not be able to see that even if Emmett hadn't been joking, I couldn't see anyone other than Edward.
"Did you have fun today?" Edward took his eyes off the road to smile at me sitting in the passenger seat.
"Surprisingly, I really had an amazing time. Thank you."
"Oh no, I should be thanking you, I haven't smiled that much in a very long time." He lifted my hand gently to his lips.
BREATHE BELLA!! My head was screaming, begging my body to cooperate. "You really shouldn't do that to people you know." I sighed.
"Do what?" He asked, curious.
"You tend dazzle people, you have to notice." I grinned.
"Hmmm." He smiled. "I dazzle you do I?" his grin was smug.
"Quite frequently actually. It's hardly fair." I admitted, blush flooding my face.
"Well, that's quite good to know." his hand found mine again.
We rode the rest of the way in silence, the moment was incredibly peaceful, I had no words for how amazing his fingers felt tracing small circles on my hand.
He sighed as we stopped in front of the house. "Are you ready for this dinner?"
CRAP!! I had totally forgotten about the dinner, actually I had very much hoped we wouldn't be attending, so much for that! "Actually, I'm really not sure what to expect." I admitted.
"It's incredibly boring. A bunch of old rich men, talking about politics, law, and any other mind numbing topic you could think of. The women usually keep to themselves and gossip. It's very old fashioned when you think about it I suppose." he explained.
"Hmm." Was all I could get out.
"Don't be nervous. You seem to have a gift for dazzling yourself, I'm sure you'll be just fine." He smiled.
"Oh yes I definitely dazzled your mother and sister today. I'm sure they'll be gushing about me for days!" I chuckled.
"Don't mind them. They're…well they're snobs, but as soon as they really know you, they will adore you just as I do." He smiled.
Now if he had said he adored me at any other point, I would have been over the moon, but in that moment, I was too busy freaking out thinking of all the ways I was bound to horrify myself tonight.
"So what exactly is deemed appropriate attire for this sort of thing." I frowned, realizing I had no idea what Alice had packed, however I was guessing a ball gown wasn't on the list for a snowboarding weekend.
"Well, it's somewhat formal. Kind of a black tie dinner. I know you weren't expecting this, so anything will be fine. No one will mind."
Fantastic! "Yeah, I'm sure if I come down stairs in my track pants and hoodie, everyone will be just fine with that." I rolled my eyes.
Our conversation was interrupted by Emmett banging on the roof of the car and then tearing my door open!
"You weren't going to kiss her were you Eddie?!" Emmett was shaking with laughter as he pulled me out of the car, ignoring Edward's glare. "That was a close one Bella, you're lucky I was here to save you." He joked.
"Yes, whatever would we do without you Em." Edward spoke through his teeth.
"Check out the vein!" Emmett whispered, still laughing.
"Come on guys, we need to get inside and get ready." Rosalie interrupted.
"Do you have something appropriate to wear Bella?" She asked sweetly.
I was completely taken back by her sudden politeness. "Umm, I'm really not sure." I managed to get out.
"Hmm, well it really is a shame you're not a bit smaller, or you could borrow something of mine." She shrugged and walked away.
Hmm, I wonder if Edward would still adore me if I were to stab his sister. Yeah probably not.
"Don't let her get to you Bella." Emmett squeezed me under his arm.
"I'm trying." I bit my tongue and kept in what I really wanted to say as we headed inside.
--
I was frantically digging through my purse the second Edward stepped out of the bedroom, letting me alone to get ready.
I searched my phone desperately for Alice's phone number.
"Hello?" Alice answered.
"Ok, so I have a bit of an emergency!" I screeched into the phone.
"Oh no, are you ok?!" she replied, her voice urgent with concern.
"Not really!!! As it turns out, this isn't just a nice little private snowy get away, his whole damn family is here. Not only are they here, but they're have a freaking party. A rich, fancy, Bella doesn't belong party. A party where women wear dresses, I don't own any dresses. I brought jeans and marshmallow pants, what the hell am I going to do?!?!?!" I rushed out in panic
"Breathe Bella." She chuckled.
"Oh well I'm glad you're amused." I huffed.
"Seriously Bella?? You don't go somewhere like the Cullen's vacation home without expecting something like this."
"Huh?"
"Ugh." She sighed, obviously annoyed with my lack of knowledge on these things. "Carlisle Cullen is one of the best and most sought after attorneys in the country. These people have parties constantly." She explained, hoping I would start to get who these people were.
"Well, it would have been nice to know this before I showed up here totally unprepared."
"Do you really think I would send you there without taking care of everything." She sounded annoyed.
"Well Alice, unless you're planning on using your magical pixie powers and POOFing in here with some ruffled prom dress monstrosity I really don't see how you took care of everything." I rushed out as I paced the floor.
"As much as I'd like to poof myself there, it isn't necessary." I could practically see her rolling her eyes. "You don't need a super formal gown, just a simple elegant dress is all." she chuckled.
"Oh well great, that really eases my mind, cause everyone knows I carry those on me at all times." I wanted to die!
"Of course you don't. I, however, do. And so, look at the very bottom of your bag, there's a garment bag neatly folded in half. I hated the thought of folding it, but I didn't have many options with you only having one suitcase."
I tore my bag open and quickly dug to the bottom. Finding a miracle, just as she said, there was a garment bag at the bottom.
"You are an angel Alice." I sighed.
"Yes, I know." I could hear her smile. "Now, get the dress out. Then go to your toiletries bag, with your shampoo and all there should be a small spray bottle."
I darted to the bathroom, finding the bottle just where she had described.
"Now spray a bit of that on the dress, and let it dry while you get ready, it will release any wrinkles."
"I really do adore you."
"You better." She laughed. "Now look at the dress and tell me how much you love it!"
I held my breath as I hung the bag up and unzipped it. Alice's taste and mine were so different.
My mouth actually dropped, I was so shocked with what I found. Just a simple black halter type dress, fitted at the top, and flared at the bottom, with a simple, yet elegant red satin ribbon that drew the waist, and a small, matching red sweater that would cover just my shoulders.
"Isn't it perfect!!" Alice squealed.
"It is." She never failed to amaze me, she knew me so well.
"Now see, aren't you glad I made you shop more when you wanted to go home the other day!" She gloated. "Ok, there are red heels with the rest of your shoes, and I think that should be just about it. Oh, just pin your hair up at the sides, something simple and cute. You'll be gorgeous."
"I love you Alice!"
"I love you too!" She sang. "Now, go get ready, and call me tonight and tell me EVERYTHING!"
"Ok, I'll call you tonight." I promised
"Bye."
The dress fit me perfectly, I had to chuckle at myself, why I continued to doubt Alice over and over again I would never understand. I quickly did my hair, just simple looked perfect with the dress, again Alice had been right. I was struggling just a bit with the shoes, but she had been gentle when picking them out and they really weren't too bad. I couldn't help but take myself in a little in the mirror, I didn't wear dresses…ever. I didn't go to parties like this, but I had to admit, I actually looked pretty nice. My best friend was a genius.
"WOW, those are some pretty impressive track pants and hoodie." Edward smiled as he slipped into the room.
"Yes, well I have the best friend in the world. Alice thought of everything." I blushed.
"Alice packed for you?" he grinned.
"Yes well, she's convinced I can't pick out a decent outfit for myself, and usually, she's right." I admitted.
"Well, you're breathtaking, but I think that has much less to do with the clothes, and more to do with the woman wearing them." His lips found my hand. "Are you ready for this?"
In and out, in and out, in and out. I had to remember how to breathe as his lips touched my skin. "As much as I'm going to be." I smiled nervously.
"You'll be perfect." he lead me out of the room.