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Chapter 16: The Morning After

December 15, Wednesday

Forks, Washington

Bella

How is it possible for a headache to bleed into dreams?

My night is plagued with pulsing nightmares that somehow make me feel worse when Alice shakes me awake.

"What?" I groan.

Alice's giggle might as well be a fucking gong. "I think we're going to have to ban you and Edward from drinking together. You're both way too competitive," she teases. I still can't open my eyes, and even the thought of glaring at her hurts my head.

"I won," I croak.

Alice hums. "I'm not sure there were any winners from this."

I crack my eyes open, and that angel has left the lights off in her living room. The only thing glowing is the clock on the stove across the room.

"Why awake?"

Alice settles on the edge of the sofa next to my side. "Well, I was going to ask if you are up for breakfast. If you are, I'll call out of work. But if you want to sleep this off, I'll see you after."

I nod to her. "Go on. I'll be dead to the world for a few more hours."

Alice nods, patting my shoulder. "Water is on the coffee table with some pain killers. I'll see you later."

"Love you," I groan as she gets up. I hear her and Jasper slip out of their apartment as I grope around for the water and drugs. I knock it back, choking once on the water as it goes down before throwing myself back on the sofa and willing the pounding in my head to go away.

Soon enough, I pass out again.

…

When I awake, I feel disgusting, but most of the pain in my skull has receded. I pull myself off the sofa, dragging myself to the bathroom. I'm familiar enough with Alice and Jasper's apartment that I help myself to the guest towels, leaving the Christmas ones I know Alice only puts up as a decoration.

The shower does me a world of good, and when I'm done and dressed, I feel like slightly more of a human being.

I make my way to the kitchen, making a cup of coffee. I'm not quite ready for food yet, but coffee is life.

Alice comes in just as I'm settling back on the sofa with my cup. "Hey! You're upright," she says, her voice bright.

"You're loud," I groan. My head isn't splitting anymore, but that doesn't mean it feels good either.

Alice winces as she sinks next to me. "Sorry," she says, her voice softer. "How are you feeling?"

I take a large gulp of my coffee and grin at her. "Probably better than him."

Alice rolls her eyes. "Bella, he has at least fifty pounds on you, if not more."

I shrug. "I'm fueled by the Christmas spirit."

Alice smirks, resting one elbow up on the back of the sofa as she faces me. "I thought that's what you were drinking last night. How many shots of vodka did you have?"

My mouth is dry at even the thought of vodka.

"Enough," I groan.

She hums lightly. "So," she says slowly. "You woke up thinking about him?"

I give her a look, and she giggles. We know each other way too well. "He's…" I pause, trying to think of the word, and Alice watches me curiously. I sip my coffee before grinning. "Titillating."

Alice bursts into laughter, and I can't help snicker with her, even though it kills my head. "Oh, tits were definitely involved," she says, glancing down at my chest. I glance down automatically and grin.

"He's obsessed." After my stunt in the store, I can hardly blame him. I was the first one to use them as fodder for our banter.

"So," Alice says, drawing out the word. "What's your next move?"

I sip my coffee as I think about it. "Well. I definitely have to make fun of his car a bit more." Memories of us drunkenly spilling out of Alec's surface in my brain. We'd all been too smashed to drive, apart from Alice, who had driven us out of there in Edward's massive rental. I grin as I recall asking him about what other big things he might have brought to town. "How long is he in town?" I ask, looking at Alice. She shakes her head.

"I think he's heading back to Seattle in a couple of days. But Jasper said he plans to come back closer to Christmas."

I lick my lips as I take in the information. "Good," I decide, sipping my coffee. I look at her. "I'm not remotely done playing with him."

Tomorrow, grab your favorite holiday candy to read with! We'll see you loves then!