A/N: I don't own Twilight or Maid in Manhattan nor am I affiliated in any way to the Vanderbilt family. Any similarities or references belong to their own persons. I don't own nor am I affiliated with Boston Pizza or Best Western. Any commentaries on these subjects are purely for entertainment means.

Note: This is the chapter before the reveal, it's coming soon this is just the build-up.

Bella POV

"Okay class, we have about fifteen minutes before the bell rings. If you'll all pull out the travel sheets previously passed out, I'd like to go through it before departure this weekend."

Oh god. I'm seriously going to throw up.

"Miss? I can't find my sheet!" shouts an idiot from the back. Honestly, where has intelligence gone?

"Well then, look harder. Now, as I was saying, you are all to be at SeaTac at four in the morning on Sunday. Tardiness will result in missing your flight, thus missing your trip to New York-"

"Wait," Oh great, Lauren. Please, shut up. "Four in the morning … as in four am!?"

"Yes, Lauren. Four am."

"That's like, really early.

"I'm sure you'll survive. We will be landing at around 3:25 EST. From there, we will be treated to a dinner in Times Square and will be checking into the Best Western."

The what?

"Miss?" I ask.

"Yes, Bella?"

"Why are we staying at the- there? I mean there's the Palace, the Waldorf-Astoria-"

"Miss Swan, this school is on a budget. Whenever you win the lottery and feel generous, please, let me know."

… Fucking bitch. They at least could have booked us at the Marriott. I narrow my eyes at her and suddenly miss the fact that my blue eyes are shaded my kind brown ones. I probably look like an angry puppy.

"On Monday, we will be giving you all free time for the day. At precisely seven pm sharp, you should all be in the hotel lobby dressed and ready for the ball we were invited to for that evening. It is a charity ball organized by Astoria Private School. There will be a bunch of students in presence as well as important social figures in Manhattan. You are all expected to be on your best behavior."

Oh god. Oh god no. The big reveal was going to be at a ball? How … typical. Of course it was the perfect plan, none of us would be allowed to act out due to the fact that there would surely be a colossal amount of media coverage. None of us want to put our families to shame. How so very typical. They mess up our lives for six months, forcing us to lie to people we've learned to love, make us confess when we can't truly express emotion and then leave us to fend for our own.

If anything, Astoria's stupid project just taught me that we really are alone in life and to never trust anyone.

"Flight 781 to New York City now boarding at gate 6"

Sighing I walked over to the waiting line and handed my boarding pass over to the perky blonde at the gate. She gave me a once over and flashed me a huge fake smile before handing my boarding pass back to me. "Have a good flight!"

Yeah. As if any of that was in my control. As if I could even relax during a flight while knowing I could potentially be living the last day I'd ever have with my friends.

Walking briskly, I quickly spot my seat (a window seat, thank god) and put my bag on the floor. I cringe as Lauren sits daintily in the seat beside me followed by Angela. For some reason, the teachers have separated the boys from the girls on the plan. I guess they aren't very fond of the Mile High. Whatever.

A pretty flight attendant makes her way to the front of the plane and begins the usual boring speech I've heard over a hundred times.

"Welcome aboard American Airlines flight 493 bound for Manhattan. We are sorry for the delay in our departure. Please fasten your seat belt and refrain from smoking while the no smoking sign is on-"

I decide to ignore her while she begins the tutorial on how to buckle a seatbelt and slip my earphones into my ear, allowing myself to glide into dreamland.

"Alright everyone, single file follow me, we will be taking the greyhound to the restaurant and from there we will walk."

I don't like this. I don't like this at all. I just passed by Arianna Dupuis's boutique and the cashier glanced at me as if I was a wet dog. The same cashier, that practically salivated at my feet, when I walked in a few months ago.

"Get out of the fucking way"

The angry man pushes me and I stumble towards Rosalie's tall form as he races past us, a camera in his hand, chasing a sleek black limousine. Did that really just happen? Did a paparazzo really just push me out of the way?

I barely have time to worry since we've just arrived to our restaurant. The word excited doesn't even begin to describe how I feel. There's nothing better than a five star meal in New York City.

"Hi, welcome to Boston Pizza, do you have a reservation?"

Okay. Maybe not a five star meal, but it's a meal in Manhattan nonetheless, I guess.

Never in my life had I ever been forced to sleep in such an uncomfortable bed. Not even in grade seven when Mariah Thomas dared me to spend the night at her brother's condo in Brooklyn while he was away. In truth, there was nothing that was 'best' about the Best Western. Alice had used up all the hot water, Rosalie had demanded to be the one to sleep alone since she was the tallest and I had ended with the short end of the stick. How rare.

"So, Bella, what are you going to do today for free time? Rose and I were planning on going shopping on 5th Ave to shop for tonight and then heading to Central Park with the guys. You down?"

Fuck. Crap. Crap. Crap. Shit. No.

Ok, Isabella. You have about thirty seconds to explain why you'll be MIA until the ball tonight.

"I can't. Sorry, I'm visiting my aunt. She lives in Brooklyn and I haven't seen her in a while so I'll be with her all day today. I'll meet you guys at the ball tonight though, okay?"

Good job girl. I slip on my light blue white skinny jeans and throw on my oversized navy knit sweater and rush to the washroom to brush my teeth.

"Well, then what are you going to wear tonight?" Rosalie pipes up.

Just keep brushing. Just keep brushing. Keep brushing your teeth Isabella. "My aunt works for a seamstress … she had a dress made for me don't worry about it!"

I tie a beige scarf around my neck, throw on a hat, slip on my boots and leather jacket and run towards the door while scooping up my phone and bag. "Gotta go now, bye! See you tonight girls."

"Where to Miss?"

I, Isabella Vanderbilt, am in a cab. Not a limo or a town car, no no; a bright yellow taxi.

"820 Fifth Avenue please, and step on it."

God forbid I run into any early birds from school on Fifth Ave. Reaching into my purse I pull out my phone and open the twitter app.

ChristianCondor: what a beautiful morning in manhattan. Hope to see you all tonight xx

CharlotteDLC: can't wait until tonight, yet another crazy day ahead with my bestie IsabellaVanderbilt

AstoriaPrivateSchool: hope to see you all in big numbers at tonight's charity ball. Tweet your outfit of the night with the hashtag #APSball to enter in the contest to win a 2000$ shopping spree at BarneysNYC

Oh god. As if tonight wasn't stressful enough on its own, I totally forgot that Christian would be there.

"Miss? We're here. That'll be-"

I grab my bag and throw a twenty towards the driver with a courteous "keep the change" and hurry towards the revolving doors of the skyscraper I call home.

Crossing the doors, I get shivers as my eyes take in once again the marble floors and gorgeous architecture I took often for granted. I let my mind wander a few years back as the elevator brings me all the way up to the top floor, my stomach coiling as the familiar feeling of soaring several floors high comes back to me. The door opens and I'm face to face with the woman that has seen me more than my own mother.

"Isabella!"

"Ana," I whisper sentimentally as I run into her arms while wiping back sneaky tears that have formed in my eyes.

"Brown hair is good on you princessa," she murmurs to me.

I laugh, not just because, but really laugh and reply. "Blonde's do it better Ana, you know that."

Ana bumps me playfully while running her fingers through my wig and expertly taking it off. She helps me take out my contacts and wipes my face clear of all makeup. "Go take a shower Isabella, and wear your robe. I want to see my Bella not this illusion."

"Of course Ana," I laugh. "Did you find a dress for me for tonight?"

"Everything is taken care of Isabella, now go."

I wrap my arms around her small waist and plant a kiss atop of her forehead before heading to my washroom to wash off all the residue of the girl I pretended to be.

A/N:

I know I always say I'm sorry and I always take time but I'm really trying to finish this story. There's about two chapters left. Next chapter is the big reveal, and the moment you've all been waiting for. Thanks for not giving up on me or on this story xxx