Author's Note: I am done with another chap you guys! Yay for me! Oh yes, thanks to Seraphyn for wonderful editing once again and preventing me for making a fool out of myself.
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, New Moon, the world, and whatnot.
He avoided actually looking at me by staring at the piano keys and we sat in uncomfortable silence until I figured out how to begin. I swept my hair over one shoulder and sighed.
"Edward, how can you act like nothing happened?" I muttered.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he replied. His non-answer was probably the most aggravating thing anyone had ever said to me.
"You are-" I stopped myself mid-sentence and took a deep breath. I didn't want to start another argument with him. "I'm not here to fight with you, Edward. I just want to tell you that I moved the party to tonight and that I hope you will be there. I'll tell you exactly how I feel at midnight."
He didn't even budge. He just stared at the black and white keys like they held the secret of life. I sighed and pulled myself up from the bench. I turned to look at him one last time before walking away, half expecting him to get up and say something to me before I left, but aside from my footsteps, there was silence.
I pushed the door open and stepped into the hallway. I saw a group of people rushing into their rooms and noticed that the house was louder than usual. It seemed that everyone was shuffling around and moving and talking. I saw Evelyn heading my way and trying to juggle two huge bouquets of roses.
"Bella!" She called when she caught sight of me. I smiled and walked over taking a bouquet out of her hands. "What is with you, Bella?"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Why did you decide to move the party up to tonight? That's not nearly enough time to get all the last minute preparations done!" she scolded.
"I'm sorry but I had to," I laughed. "I have a good reason, I promise!"
"Fine, but can you at least give me a heads up next time?" I nodded.
"What are these for anyway?" I said taking a sniff of the roses.
"They're for the table. John is coming with the vase," she said leading me back to the ballroom.
When we were five feet away from the door, it swung open and Edward stepped out. He took one glance at us and then continued on his way to his room.
"Bella, did something happen to him? He's been acting really weird since he got back," Evelyn asked.
"I don't know," I said kicking the door open a little harder than necessary with my right foot.
I helped Evelyn set the stuff onto the table and pull the curtains closed. The pouring rain and the gray skies didn't exactly set the mood I was looking for tonight. Evelyn hooked up my rarely used laptop to the sound system and turned it on to make sure it worked. The music blared from the speakers and the lights on the ceiling began to spin with the music.
"Okay, all I need to do now is set these roses," she said talking more to herself than me. "Where is John?" She looked around and then seemed to realize that I was still there. "Bella! What are still doing here? Go get ready!" She began to push me toward the door.
"I don't think I need 4 hours to get ready," I protested.
"Yes, you do! Your dress and accessories are on you bed. Alice and Rosalie will be there shortly to do your hair and make-up," she explained as she pushed me out of the ballroom and slammed the door shut.
I sighed and turned to go to my room. It appears I'll have to be Alice's doll for the next couple of hours. I wasn't too happy about the idea, but I knew it was inevitable. When I reached my door, it swung open and a pair of arms reached out and pulled me in by the sleeves. I managed to let out a screech before they slammed the door shut.
"Where have you been?" Alice demanded.
"I was-"
"Never mind! Just go take a shower," she said throwing a towel and fresh clothes at me. She can be scary when she wants to be.
On the way to the bathroom, I saw Rosalie setting out the giant collection of make-up that I see once a year. I probably have every shade of eye shadow ever made and then some. I went into the bathroom and kicked the door closed. I dropped the stuff down on the counter top and caught sight of the five curling irons and three blow dryers already plugged in. I gulped, trying to quell my apprehension, and stepped into the shower.
I stepped into the shower and turned on just the hot water and sighed happily as the scalding water brought some form of warmth to my icy skin. I went over my plan in my head to reassure myself that it would work. If all goes well, that is if Edward shows up, then everything should be fine. But what do I do if he doesn't show up? I shook myself and forced that possibility from my mind.
I quickly worked shampoo into my scalp and scrubbed myself squeaky clean before turning off the water. I dried myself with the towel and used my hand to clear the fog off the mirror. I never imagined that I would have to do something this drastic for love, but here I was. A sudden banging on the door made me jump slightly.
"Come on, Bella!" Alice urged.
"I'm coming!"
I grabbed the clothes and threw them on as fast as I could and pulled the door open. I grabbed my hair in one hand and shook it so that some of the water would fly off.
"No time for that now," Alice said grabbing me and making me sit on the bench that usually sat at the end of my bed. "Rose, can you get the blow dryers?"
Rosalie disappeared into the bathroom and appeared a second later with two dryers in her hands connected to an extension cord. She handed one to Alice and they both clicked them on. With both driers pointed at my head, the noise was almost deafening.
Once in a while, pieces of hair blew in my face and I reached up to sweep them away, but Alice slapped my hand like I was a naughty child. Eventually, I just decided to sit there quietly with my hands on my lap while they styled my hair this way and that. I did notice that it took two bottle of hair spray and a ton of bobby pins to accomplish whatever look they had in mind. Rosalie went over my hair one last time while Alice grabbed the make-up.
I was tired of sitting still, but I knew they wouldn't let me get up, or even move for that matter. I amused myself by wondering why Rosalie was helping me get ready at all. I'd thought she hated me. Well, she hasn't uttered a word to me so maybe she still doesn't like me but can at least tolerate my presence.
When I saw Alice come at me with eye shadow brushes I closed my eyes obediently and didn't open them until I was sure they were done. I felt a lot of brushing, poking, and smearing, but didn't utter a complaint.
I was surprised that Evelyn had given up her role as my official beautician. Usually, it was Evelyn and a couple of other girls who did these things for me, but I guess Evelyn was a bit busy since I moved the party up. I would much rather deal with Alice and Rosalie then the other girls, anyway. They always ended up making the make-up too dark and I had to wipe off some to prevent myself from looking like a prostitute.
"Bella, time to go get dressed," Alice announced. "Rosalie and I have to go get ready. Your shoes, mask, and jewelry are on the bathroom counter." I nodded and took the dress from her. She pecked me on the cheek before accompanying Rosalie out of the room. I suddenly remembered something extremely important.
"Alice!" I yelled. The door opened instantly and Alice popped her head back into the room.
"Hm?"
"I can't zip myself up, you know," I reminded.
"Oh, right," Alice giggled and came back into the room. I instantly noticed that Rosalie didn't come back with her.
"Where's Rosalie?" I asked.
"She went on ahead," Alice answered.
"Oh."
I went into the bathroom as Alice sat herself down on the floor and looked through my CD collection. Once the door was closed, I went into the bathroom and stepped into the dress. Then, I came out for Alice to zip me up.
"Thanks, Alice," I said as she headed out the door again.
"You're very welcome," she pulled me into a swift hug and then flounced away to get herself ready. I watched after her until she was out of sight and then retreated back into the room and closed the door.
Evelyn had made sure that it would just touch the ground when I wore the gold two-inch heels so I had to pick it up to walk over to get the shoes. I could tell I had to be careful because the dress was subtly being pulled down by gravity even though it couldn't possibly be tighter on me.
The straps took forever to wrap around my ankles but the shoes were surprisingly comfortable once they were on. I screwed on the long gold drop earrings and swept the tail of my up do over my right shoulder. I haven't seen the mask yet so I picked it up to examine the design.
It was white and covered only the eyes and part of the nose. The edges were lined with small delicate pearls with little floral designs that matched the ones on the bodice of the dress. I slipped it on carefully so I didn't mess up my hair. I didn't want to go through the hair session with Alice again.
Every aspect of me was absolutely beautiful thanks to Alice, Evelyn, and Rosalie. The rest is up to me. I took a deep breath and made my way out of the room and to the ballroom.
Author's Note: The ball is next! And a confession that brings two lovers together. Review if you ever want to see the next chapter. That is a serious threat, people.