A/N: Bella and Rosalie are nowhere near a relationship, even if some moments may seem that way. It's going to be a long ride. Enjoy.
Bella is in the parking lot leaning against her car waiting for the familiar green Jeep to show, anxious to see her small group of friends. The rest of her weekend had been slightly less exciting than her Saturday but Bella had been grateful for the time to relax and think without having to worry about homework; though the slur of text she received from Alice were distracting. Alice asked Bella about her encounter with Ms. Hale and informed Bella that the woman was always that way when it came to Rosalie.
According to Alice, Ms. Hale was a little too protective of Rosalie and didn't trust anyone when it came to the blonde. Alice said it annoys Rosalie how her mother acts like she's breakable so they don't always see eye to eye; she also assured Bella that Ms. Hale felt no animosity towards Bella and even spoke to Esmé about it; though she wouldn't elaborate further on the subject.
On Sunday Bella and Charlie went to his favorite, and really the only, diner in town for lunch; they discussed how Bella liked Forks so far also if she was having any trouble with anyone. Charlie brought up the topic of her 18th birthday asking Bella if she wanted to do anything special; it was this Thursday and Bella had completely forgotten about it. She stuttered through her response of not wanting to make it a huge affair, Charlie had bought her enough already, she would just like to have a nice dinner while treating it like any other day. He sighed in relief at her response and she wondered what he thought that she might want.
The loud horn beeping alerts Bella that her companions have reached the school; Emmett of course being the driver but with Rosalie in the passenger seat, Alice and Jasper are sitting in the back. Surely those two must have cars Bella thinks watching as they exit the vehicle.
"Bella!" Emmett booms out walking towards her swooping her into a large bear hug. "Damn, I haven't seen you in forever" he laughs squeezing her tightly. Bella rolls her eyes lightly patting his back.
"It's only been three days bear man" Alice giggles behind them making Bella turn her head as Emmett puts her down. Alice is leaning against the Jeep, her hair is unusually straight and she's wearing a black ruffle skirt with a gray blouse; Jasper is to her left, hand attached wearing blue jeans and a tight fitted pink shirt that says 'I Like Girls That Like Girls' Bella snorts in amusement looking at Jasper with a raised eyebrow. The blonde man only shrugs with a smirk on his face. Rosalie is standing next to her twin, she looks elegant in her gray dress pants a white blouse and a red blazer covering it. This is the first time Bella has really seen the blonde dress up and she is slightly surprised at how much of an adult Rosalie looks to be.
"Hey Alice, Jasper" she nods to the couple, turning her eyes to Rosalie. "Hi" she whispers staring into the blue orbs.
"Hi" Rosalie smiles softly speaking the words with her eyes. They stare at each other.
"Ahem" Emmett clears his throat interrupting the two girls. "So we going to class or..." he trails off waving his hand at the building in front of him. Bella looks around the parking lot confusion on her face.
"Where are Angela and Edward?"
"Angela has an appointment at the hospital, Edwards taking her"
"She doesn't have a car?" Bella inquires; she thought everyone's parents gave them old cars around here. Excluding her and her companions of course.
"She shares with her parents!" Alice chirps out.
"Oh well since we're on the subject, do you two have cars" she asks pointing between Alice and Jasper.
"I do but Carlisle only lets me drive it on special occasions" Alice pouts making Jasper chuckle. "But Jas doesn't, driving is not really his thing" Alice grins nudging her boyfriend. The bell rings signaling for the group to start walking to the building.
Emmett looks to Rosalie, and Bella watches her nod out the corner of her eye; Bella spins to face Rosalie curiosity burning in her gaze. Rosalie shakes her head in response; not wanting to push the blonde she smiles at her showing she understands. They began to make their way to class, Emmett in the front of the group followed by a bouncing Alice and Jasper; Rosalie and Bella walk side by side in the rear.
"Her first period is Dr. Banner, Bella!" Emmett shouts out making his way down an opposite hall. Then it dawns on Bella what Emmett was asking Rosalie, he wanted to know if she would let me walk her to class. Bella inwardly grins.
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"C'mon guys we have to think of something to do this weekend, I sat at home last weekend!" Alice whines out, as Bella takes her seat across from Rosalie at the lunch table.
Edward and Angela are there, amusement in their eyes staring at the pout on the pixie face; Emmett is scarfing down his fries, a goofy grin plastered on his features. Bella looks to see Jasper leaning over to whisper something in Rosalie's ear, it appears to be a serious topic; Bella turns her head to give them privacy.
"What were you talking about?" Bella questions her eyes focusing on Alice.
"I was trying to make plans for this weekend but no one else seems to be interested" Alice sighs out placing her head on her hand.
"But it's only Monday" Bella chuckles out.
"We have to make plans early Bella!" Alice exclaims throwing her hands up. "No one understands me" she mumbles leaning back into Jasper's arm. Jasper turns to face her giving her a brief one-armed hug.
"It's alright darling, I understand you" he drawls out smiling affectionately at her placing a kiss on her forehead.
"What about you Bella, anything you want to do in town this weekend?" Edwards questions surprising Bella, seeing as the two haven't actually had a real conversation.
"Oh um no not really, I'm the stay at home and listen to music kind of girl. Charlie asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday on Thursday and I didn't really have any ideas"
"Thursday is your birthday?!" Alice screeches loudly into Bella's ear making her flinch at the interruption. Bella nods slowly afraid of what might happen. "And you're just telling me now? That's not enough time to plan!" Bella looks around confused watching the rest of the group try to contain their laughter as Alice continues to ramble under her breath.
"Uh Alice?" Alice stops her speaking to glance at Bella. "Plan what exactly?"
"Your party Bella!" Alice sounds exasperated. Bella blinks.
"Alice, I don't want-" Bella stops her words at the menacing expression on Alice's face. Well that's scary.
"You should just let it go Bellsie, short stuff here goes crazy when it comes to parties and shopping" Emmett says laughing at the frightening look on Bella's face.
"But I don't like parties" she mumbles under her breath afraid to be heard by Alice. Bella gazes up to see Rosalie staring at her with amusement in her eyes; she gives the blonde a pleading look glancing towards Alice.
"Help?" she silently questions the blonde.
"We could go into Seattle and have some type of party bus" Alice talks aloud clearly not speaking to anyone. Bella looks back to Rosalie, as Alice continues to speak; the blonde has a small smile on her face.
"Do you like heights Bella? Maybe we could go sky diving"
"Please" she begs gazing into the blue orbs. Rosalie stares at her for a moment before nodding slightly.
"Okay"
Rosalie reaches over past Jasper to place a hand on Alice's shoulder; the short girl immediately stops talking and gives Rosalie a curious gaze.
"What's the matter?" Rosalie looks to Bella quickly, giving Alice a pointed look. Alice averts her eyes to Bella's terrified ones, before sighing.
"Okay, okay, fine. Maybe we can just hang out at my house, watch movies or something?" Bella nods at her suggestion relief flooding through her body.
"We could have a small pool gathering" Edward cuts in his smooth voice floating throughout the table.
"You guys have a pool?"
"Yup! It's in the back of the house, we also have a Jacuzzi" Of course you do Bella muses what family doesn't right?
"Is it going to be your 18th birthday?" Angela asks Bella quietly, Bella nods her answer.
"Looks like I'm still the oldest around here"
"How old are you?" Bella inquires rotating to face Emmett.
"I'm 19" he happily replies grin still in place. The confusion enters Bella's mind.
"Are you and Edward twins or..." she trails of unsure of how both of the boys are in the 12th grade.
"No" Edward speaks up for the pair. "I'm a year younger; this idiot was supposed to graduate last year but failed Spanish and P.E."
"You failed P.E?" Bella asks giving the large man a skeptical look. Emmett shrugs.
"I never really went to class"
"What were you doing then" Emmett releases a sly grin.
"Bella, I don't think that you want to know" she looks to Angela in confusion.
"Why wouldn't I want to- Oh never mind!" Bella squeaks out at the blush and suggestive expression across Angela's features.
"Are you sure Bella, I would love to give you all the details of my time spent away from gym" he wiggles his eyebrows, Bella blushes, Alice and Jasper laugh, Edward releases a sigh and Rosalie taps his chest.
"Your lost" he shrugs starting to eat the left over fries from Rosalie's plate.
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"So Emmett really only has two classes during the day?" Jasper nods.
"Yes, he only sticks around throughout the day because he has nothing better to do. That and he stays with Rose" Bella moves her gaze from the school building looking at Jasper to her right.
They were in the parking lot waiting for Rosalie and Alice to finish speaking with a history teacher; Emmett left to prepare for a date with Heidi, thus Bella was driving the trio to their homes today. It's the first time she has ever been alone with this twin and to be honest she is more than a little nervous. Not that Jasper seems like an intimidating man, besides his utter dislike for school, he has had nothing but a calm demeanor about him. But with her strange friendship with Rosalie she was unsure of how he might feel about the situation.
"Does he- I mean does Rosalie need protecting?" Bella wishes she could have phrased the question differently but it was the only thing that came to her mind. Jasper gazes down to Bella an unreadable expression on his face, Bella holds her breath. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything she thinks, fearing that she may have crossed a boundary; Jasper slowly shakes his head.
"No, she doesn't. But Rosalie doesn't do well in crowds alone; one of us is with her at all times" she lets the information sink in, then changes the subject it's obvious Jasper doesn't feel comfortable talking about his sister.
"Is that your shirt?" The serious expression is gone and Jasper cracks a tiny smile.
"Yes, Emmett got it for Rosalie and I as a birthday present" Bella blinks in surprise.
"Rosalie has one too"
"She does"
"Oh look Rose our chauffeurs are waiting!" Bella glances up to see Alice skipping towards them, Rosalie trailing behind her. A smile appears on Bella's face when she sees the blonde heading their way.
"You guys ready?" after receiving a confirmation from the group, they leave for the Cullen and Hale households.
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Bella puts the car in park outside of the Cullen mansion; she looks to the passenger seat watching Rosalie as she looks outside of the window.
"Are you okay?" she asks the blonde softly. Rosalie nods turning to give Bella a slight smile, moving to open the door, allowing Alice and Jasper to exit. Bella gets out and watches Alice skip to the front porch.
"I'm going to go inside for a while, I'll be home later" Jasper addresses Rosalie before walking inside.
"Is it okay if I walk with you home?" Rosalie nods and they begin to walk through the trail to her house.
To Bella's surprise instead of walking to the front door Rosalie tracks to the garage; the blonde bends over to open the door and Bella quickly averts her eyes, not wanting to stare. When the inside is revealed she notices that the once all red BMW now has one black stripe along the side, it gives the car a racecar type look. Rosalie turns to face Bella waving with her hand for Bella to take a seat, but instead of the desk that was there previously, a black fold-out chair now rests in its place. She accepts the offer, moving to take a seat while Rosalie leaves through the door connected to the house. I guess she's going to change Bella thinks her eyes scanning the enormous space.
There is a small red toolbox in the opposite corner of the room, a black table adjacent with a tool filled wall hanging above it. A can of black paint is on the table with a hose and sprayer attached and what appears to be tarp is under the table folded neatly. Rosalie's BMW is in the center of the space; even with the car in the room there is extra space to move and function inside. The door opens then Bella focuses her attention on the blonde walking into the room. She's wearing the same outfit as before with the exception of the added red bandana wrapped around her head. Rosalie glances towards Bella, her sapphire eyes locking on.
"Stay?" Bella nods watching the blonde advance to the open hood.
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An hour later Jasper arrives with, surprisingly enough, a composed Edward trailing behind him.
"Rose, Esmé invited us over for dinner and I brought Edward to help move the table." Jasper speaks moving through the garage, he gives Bella a slight nod, not appearing to be at all surprised to see her there. He stops at the door spinning to face Edward.
"I'm going to move the table out of her room first, then you can come help with the rest" he speaks to Edward then glances at Rosalie. "Can you come unlock the door?" Rosalie nods standing up; she wipes her hands on her pants following Jasper inside of the house.
"You could stay for dinner too, if you'd like" Edwards says to Bella looking in her direction. Bella shakes her head a polite smile on her face.
"No thank you, I have to get going anyway I need to make dinner for Charlie and me" Bella stands from the chair, stretching her arms above her head.
"No wait, you have to say bye to Rosalie first" there is panic in Edwards voice and Bella gives him a confused stare.
"I wasn't leaving now" she says slowly.
"I'm sorry" Edward shakes his head. "It's just that Rosalie doesn't like- she's not, never mind I can't explain it" he runs his fingers through his untamed hair.
"You ready?" they both snap their heads up to view Jasper in the doorway, Rosalie standing behind him.
"Yeah, let's go" Edward gives Bella one last nod. Rosalie comes in the garage eyeing Bella's new position; she understands and speaks immediately.
"I have to go, I have homework and I need to cook dinner" Rosalie continues to stare at Bella, the uncertainty has returned in her orbs. "Can I come back tomorrow?" a tiny smile appears on the blondes face.
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True to her word Bella returned to Rosalie's house on Tuesday, and Wednesday, where she watched the blonde work on her car and they sat in peaceful silence. To anyone else it would have seemed dull especially considering Rosalie never said one word, but to Bella it was a special time shared with her friend that could not be replaced.
On Thursday Bella awoke to a text from Alice.
Open the front door – Alice
A tired and confused Bella does as the text commands, getting out of her bed she drags her feet to the front door.
"Morning Bella, Happy Birthday!" Alice yells loudly making Bella cringe at the volume.
"Alice? Wha- what are you doing here?" Bella questions groggily staring at Alice's bright smile.
"It's your birthday Bella, I have to help you pick out your outfit, do your hair and make-up!" Bella blinks her brain finally catching up to her.
"Alice, you're a great friend and I love your company but its 7:00 in the morning; you have got to be joking." But looking at Alice's face Bella knows that she isn't so with a sigh Bella opens the door wider allowing Alice to step inside.
"Fine, my room is this way" Bella states leading Alice up the steps.
"Okay you go shower and I'll pick out an outfit." Deciding that any protest would be useless Bella does as told moving towards the bathroom.
When she returns to her room Alice is sitting at her computer desk waiting patiently; there's a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, a red blouse and the only pair of black heels that Bella owns.
"Hurry and get dressed Bella, I still have to do your hair and make-up" Alice chirps out, pointing to the clothes laid out on her bed. This is going to be a long morning Bella thinks grabbing the shirt. Once she is fully dressed Bella takes the seat that Alice has moved in front of her dresser preparing herself for an Alice Cullen make over. They sit in silence, Alice working on Bella's hair and Bella allowing Alice to have free rein over her; the situation reminds Bella of her junior prom that Renée forced her to endure. Bella didn't have a date but she went with a few friends that she had, she would never admit it to her mother but Bella appreciated going to have some fun that night.
Memories of her Renée fills Bella's mind, a feeling of nostalgia washing over her. Viewing the concentrated Alice through the mirror Bella wonders if the pixie has any memories of time spent with her parents. Alice must sense the gaze on her because she stops working on the soft curls that she is putting in Bella's hair to stare back at her in the mirror.
"Are you okay?" Alice inquires softly.
"Huh? Oh yeah, I just um I was just thinking"
"About?" she probes moving to resume Bella's hair.
"My mom, she used to do stuff like this for me" Alice gives a gentle smile in response, and Bella doesn't say anything else.
"I was only three when they died" Alice speaks into the quiet room, Bella's brown orbs immediately finding hers. "Mary and Jackson Cullen, my dad was a lawyer and my mom was an interior designer that's why her and Esmé got along so well. My dad was Esmé older brother by four years; I don't remember them too much I only have a couple of pictures of my childhood, I do know that we lived in Jackson Mississippi at the time. The day they died we were in Florida for vacation, my aunt and uncle along with Edward and Emmett were there as well, we stayed in a hotel by the beach. Mom and Dad were going to the store; I stayed behind with Esmé and the boys at the pool. I don't remember what happened that day but from what I'm told they tried to avoid hitting a bicyclist and ended up hitting a tree instead" Bella inhales a sharp breath.
"My mom died on impact, my father dying at the hospital two days later; Esmé and Carlisle took me in and they've been my supporters ever since" Alice gives Bella a reassuring smile squeezing her shoulder. "It's okay, I never really knew them, don't cry" Bella reaches her hand to her face brushing the tears with her fingertips. I didn't know that I was crying.
"I'm sorry Alice; I didn't mean to-" Alice shakes her head.
"Don't worry about it, if we're going to be best friends Bella we have to know everything about each other" Bella raises an eyebrow.
"I thought Rosalie is your best friend"
"She is but she doesn't talk much" Bella snorts. "Besides you can have more than one best friend you know." Bella grins at Alice.
"Yeah, I know"
"Good now turn around so that I can finish your hair"
Chapter Question: How did you spend your last birthday?