A/N: Sorry this took so long to update- I didn't think any one was reading this, so I had decided to put it on the back burner for now… I will however continue to update it as long as I know some one wants to read it, so please review. Good, bad, critiques corrections, and suggestions on how to make it better/less boring are welcomed. Thanks to those who are reading and enjoy. :)

CH. 3 Sparks

Alice

The smoke was the first thing she noticed.

"It's beautiful" her breath caught as she watched the twirling silver smoke dance its way through the purple and pink hues of the twilight sky. To Alice it was like watching a ballet performance-the weaving colors battling over ownership of heaven. The trail of smoke guided their path, and as they neared their destination, orange-red tongues flickered into view. The blazing flames of the bonfire pits let them know they had arrived.

"I think we're here" Bella beamed as she pointed towards the group of strangers that littered the beach, excitement coloring her voice.

"Looks like it" Alice chimed.

"Ready?"

Alice nodded in reply, while trying to stifle a yawn. It had been a long day, and she knew it was still far from over.

Her shift at the hospital had gone by quicker than she had imagined, but it had left her utterly exhausted. The hospital had recently admitted several new patients, and it seemed as if every room in their ward was now occupied. Their department had been understaffed as it was and with the new additions everyone was in frenzy. Most of her morning was spent transporting patients to and from their radiation sessions, with any free moment she might have had filled by errands given from the staff. After several hours of running around, Alice was finally about to head home when Dr. Cullen stopped her.

"Alice, honey, do you mind running this over to Dr. Mason before you go?" Carlisle asked and handed her the chart without waiting for her reply.

"Guess not" she muttered to herself, her fathers back already turned to her as he walked off in the opposite direction. Alice knew how hectic thing must be for him so she didn't take his shortness with her to heart. Dr. Cullen was one of the hospital's best doctors and because of his reputation he had lots of responsibilities to uphold. When things were busy for the staff, things were doubly so for him.

"Knock, knock" Alice called as she entered the empty patients room. Edward was standing at the foot of the bed, obviously confused. Alice couldn't help grin at his expression.

"Mrs. Rodriquez was released about fifteen minutes ago. Dr. Cullen thought you might need this." She waved the chart in front of him teasingly.

"Thanks" muttered Edward as he took the chart from her and looked it over, embarrassed that he hadn't known this.

"Don't mention it." Alice mocked him a bit as she leaned against the doorway, blocking his exit. "So trampled any more people today?"

"You know, you're awfully small to be so hugely irritating."

"And you're awfully young to be a doctor." Alice countered, amused by his comment.

"I'm still an intern." He leaned down and whispered into her ear "Besides, I'm older than I look."

His action took her by surprise, and she felt her milky complexion redden a bit. She heard him chuckle at her reaction and fought to regained her composure.

"I'd hope so, because honestly, you barely look 17." She smiled at him; studying his boyish looks for a moment. She couldn't deny that he was attractive… and quite charming if she was being honest with herself. She quickly shook the thought from her mind and turned to leave.

"I'll see ya around… try not to kill anyone." she called over her shoulder as she walked towards the elevator, his eyes fixed on her the entire time.

After her shift she had quickly gone home and packed her overnight bag, as well as a few extra things for Bella, knowing full well that her friend would need all the help she could get. When it came to their style the two friends were on the complete opposite side of the scale. While Alice could easily put together an outfit and look as if she had stepped out of a fashion magazine, Bella was most comfortable in a pair of faded jeans and sweatshirts.

It took Alice only a few hours to arrive at Forks. Pulling into the driveway next to Bella's '92 Geo, she made a mental note to thank her parents for getting her the Porsche, unable to imagine having to drive the 454 miles between Pullman and Forks in anything else.

After several hours of dressing and arguing over Bella's wardrobe (or lack of one) they had finally arrived to First Beach. As they climbed out of the car, Alice couldn't help but to smile at herself as she admired her work.

"You look great Bella!" Alice smirked proudly. "Do you see him?"

Bella eyes shifted as she took in her surrounding, trying to find Jacob Black within the throng. "There he is..the one with his hair pulled back?"

Alice followed her gaze and saw the tall young man her friend had been gushing about all day. "Oh…I think I know him." She said, surprised at her recognition. "He's cute, I'll give you that. But honestly Bella, you're just asking for trouble..."

"You know him?!" Bella asked incredulously, "How?"

"Well, I don't know him, personally, but his reputation precedes him." Alice said coldly, a hint of disprovable rang in her usually cheerful voice. "He's in my economy class, or at least he is supposed to be, but he rarely shows up."

"He seemed nice enough yesterday, maybe it's all just ta-." Bella mused, chagrined under her friends chastising gaze.

"Speak of the devil, and the devil shall appear" Alice interrupted, her head tilted towards the dark figure heading towards them.

"Be nice" Bella threatened the tiny girl standing besides her.

"Always" Alice replied sweetly; her lips already forming a smile.

This is part 1 of 2 for chapter three. I will update this chapter as soon as possible with part two ( hopefully within the next two days). I just haven't had a chance to type it up and wanted to put up this part for now, so check back here soon. Thanks for reading.