CHAPTER 35

BELLA

Saturday was uneventful for me. I arrived at home, and helped Mom with the household chores.

I went to the market when afternoon came, buying some vegetables and other ingredients we might need to make a rice cake. Even if I had no visitors, Mom insisted on cooking for me, so I just agreed.

I was surprised to see Rosalie in our house when I arrived. She was smiling brightly at me, yelling.

"Surprise!!!" She ran to hug me. "Happy Birthday Bella!"

"What are you doing here?" I said, really surprised at her sudden appearance.

"I wanted to surprise you." She answered shortly, biting her lower lip. "Are we cooking anything?"

"Yeah, Mom's making rice cakes for tomorrow." I arranged the things I bought in our small dining table.

"Mom!" I yelled. My mother came rushing to the kitchen, her hair in disarray. My dad trailed behind her. "This is Rosalie. She's my friend. She came all the way from Manila."

Mom hugged her, while Dad said she's welcome at our home.

"She's sick. Let's not stress her out, okay?" I pleaded. Mom looked at her worriedly, combing a hand through her hair.

"I'm alright Bella!" Rosalie chuckled. "I don't want any special treatment." She started peeling the vegetables on our table.

"Do you eat veggies?" Daddy asked her curiously.

"Yes sir. My doctor recommended them, so I do." She smiled sweetly. I can tell my parents already liked her.

We were busy preparing our lunch when another set of visitors arrived. This I didn't expect.

"Happy Birthday Bella!" Maria greeted. "Are we welcome?"

Rosalie and I exchanged glances, wondering what these two were doing here. I didn't invite them.

"Uh. Sure, I guess. Since you're already here." I stuttered.

"Happy Birthday Bella." Jessica handed me a box. "I picked it up for you."

"Thanks." I said, not looking in her eyes.

"Bella, can we talk?" She asked suddenly.

"About what?

"You know what I'm talking about." She said.

I sighed, there was no escape so I just lead her to the backyard, where you can see a grassy hill and flowers blooming wildly.

"This is a nice place." She commented, sitting on a log.

I just smiled and stayed silent. We were like that for a while, no one ever spoke.

Finally, she sighed. I threw a rock at the down slope hill, watching it roll to the stream below.

"Bella… I know you're mad, but it's not his fault. I dragged him there. It's just that, he was so upset with Jasper, I wanted to cheer him up. What you saw… It was just part of a bigger picture. Edward and I have always been good friends. I hope you understand. He likes you, Bella. Really, promise." She held up a palm on the air.

I took another little rock, turning it around on my palm before launching it again on the hill.

"I understand. It's just that… When I saw you two, we were supposed to meet, and I thought he ditched me. Sorry for overreacting." I said finally, embarrassed now at my action.

"I'm sorry Bella. Thanks for being understanding. Are we friends again?" She looked at me, her eyes brimming with hope. I nodded. Jessica stood up to give me a hug, and we both went back to the house to find yet another set of surprise visitors.

It was Jasper and Emmett, grinning broadly at me as I entered the house.

"Happy Birthday!!" They ran to enclose me in a group hug, so I hugged them back.

"I'm so glad you could make it!" I exclaimed as I looked around for Edward.

Emmett sat back next to Rosalie, his arms around her waist. Jasper looked unhappy.

"Where's Edward?" I asked curiously. "And where's Alice?" I looked at Jasper specifically. He just shrugged.

"Edward's out there somewhere." Emmett chuckled.

I introduced them all to my parents. My mother prepared them snacks, while I rushed to the garden to water the plants. It was my favorite hobby.

I watered Mom's orchids, red roses, and tulips. I was about to head back to the house but I noticed a bunch of flowering white roses, so I went back to the pump to fetch another pail of water. I watered the thick bushes where the roses sprung, singing to myself.

"I never thought it's this cold!" Edward sprang out from behind the bushes, holding out the roses now for me. I nearly jumped up in shock as he grinned sheepishly, wiping his head dry.

"What are you doing?" I screamed. "Why are you hiding there?"

"To surprise you?" He held out the flowers, and I gladly took them to smell the scent.

"Hmmm. Thank you." I hugged him.

"Does this mean I'm forgiven?" His voice sounded happy and surprised, and I couldn't help but smile.

"In every way possible, yes." I said, taking his hand lightly to introduce him to my parents.

We ate dinner together, avoiding talking about Alice as much as possible, because it makes us all lonely. Except for Maria, I bet.

"Bella, do you have mobile service?" Jasper asked out of nowhere.

"Oh. Sorry, Jazz. No coverage here." I stated.

It was really annoying sometimes, I can't use my phone at home. There was always no service.

"Let's go out if you want, to check on our phones?" I suggested. It was midnight, so everybody declined, except for Jasper.

"Are you checking on Alice?" I stared at him, hoping he'd say yes.

"Yeah. I… I miss her. She's alone in the dorm." He looked uncomfortable.

I reached for my phone, then started browsing through the messages. They were all greetings from our classmates and dorm mates.

I was about to delete them all, when a familiar name popped on my inbox.

Bella, where's your house? I'm in Burnham Park. Don't tell Jazz.

It was from Alice. It was sent more than seven hours ago? Where is she?!

Blood drained from my face as I fumbled through all the messages, looking for another from her. I did not fail. This one was sent an hour ago.

Bella! I can't find your house. I'm in a Cathedral. On the 35th step. Come for me. Please? It's cold. Don't tell Jazzy.

I stood frozen as I dialed her number, hoping she'd answer. Ten tries, she still wouldn't answer. God, what happened to Alice? I kept dialing, panicking because her phone wouldn't even ring. It was out of coverage area.

"Bella, what's wrong?" Edward touched my arm lightly, but I did not answer.

"She doesn't answer her phone. Think she's mad?" Jasper asked coolly.

"Jasper, Alice is here. She's…" I trailed off, still in a trance.

"What did you say? Where is she?" He asked, his voice slightly alarmed.

Still, I did not budge. I tried moving my muscles but I couldn't move. What happened to her? This city was dangerous at night, and Alice is a pretty rich girl-a tourist-a perfect victim.

"Bella! What happened!" Jasper grabbed me by the shoulders, shaking me violently.

Edward snatched my phone from my hand, scrolling through the messages.

"Shit." He muttered under his breath.

"Jasper, Alice is here. She's lost somewhere. We have to find her." Edward calmly said. "I'll go get Emmett. Take a raincoat, Bella. Bring a blanket just in case."

He ran off to the house, and came back with Emmett not long after.

"Dude, you better pray she's safe." Emmett warned Jasper as we ran off to the rain, splitting in twos when we reached the city.

I teamed up with Edward, and we headed to Burnham Park, wishing she's there. It was the most common place people go to when they're lost here, after all.

"Alice?" We shouted in choruses, looking everywhere for her.

As the heavy rains poured, I prayed for my bestfriend's safety, wherever she may be.

**

Oh, I'm really sorry for the shortness okay? Thanks for your great reviews!!! Thank you so much. I love you all! :))

Happy Valentines Day!

Music: Forevermore by Side A.

Yeah, I'm into Original Filipino Music now... so... yeah. haha :)

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