Like most my dreams, this one was easily recognizable as that, a dream. It was obvious for three reasons. One, Edward wasn't with me. And Edward was always with me. Two, I was in the arena I had been in yesterday. Three, I was wearing Alice's idea of proper formalwear. Namely, a purple ballgown. So I was fairly certain it wasn't real life. Nevertheless, my palms were sweaty. My eyes flickered nervously from one side of the arena to the next. My heart beat a tattoo on my chest. I had a mission.

I tripped my way over to the man selling hotdogs.

"Ex-ex-excuse me, sir," I stuttered. "But, can you please give me something, something to eat? For free?" I peered hopefully at him, wishing he would just give me the food, and I could scramble out of the way.

The man glared at me. "And what makes you think I would give someone like you anything to eat?" he spat.

"It-it's-it's for my friends! Over there!" I pointed to Alice, who was in a fairy costume, complete with wings. Rosalie lounged by her side, supported by stilts.

"Your friends?" The man's face was suddenly unreadable.

"Yes, sir. My friends." I was relieved at the non-violent course the conversation had taken.

Then the man's face turned red. "Your friends! You have no friends! They're only pretending! Bah!" He grew in size until he was roughly the same height as an elephant. I cringed away form him and whimpered.

Suddenly, Edward showed up. "Bella, are you all right?" A light pressure shook me gently. I slowly came to.

"Oh, Edward!" I cried, relieved. I crushed myself to his lips, trying to inhale as much of the smell as possible. "You came home! I was having the most awful dream - I'm so glad you woke me up!" I exclaimed between kisses.

"So how was your hunting trip?" he asked wryly.

"Alice and Rosalie made a bet with me." I muttered unwillingly, trying to shake off the dream.

"Oh? What about?"

"To try to see... who can get the most stuff."

Edward chuckled quietly, and pressed his cool lips to mine. "There's no competition."

"That's what I said! I mean, obviously Rosalie or Alice will win, so I don't see the point-"

He cut me off by placing a finger to my mouth. "You silly, gorgeous creature. I meant no competition for you!"

"Oh." That silenced me. "But don't you think, just maybe, that you see me just a little differently than anyone else? That you're a little biased?"

"You have no idea how desirable you are, do you? But if you want, I can guilt Alice out of it." Edward grinned at me.

"No, don't." I couldn't believe I actually felt bad for Alice. "She's only trying to do what she thinks is best for me." I sighed.

"I've got a suggestion. Why don't I come with you to the place where you are competing, and I'll tell you which are willing to be persuaded to relinquish their items?" Edward proposed.

"I think that's a great idea!" I enthused. Spending time with Edward, regardless of the whereabouts, was fine with me.

"It's settled, then." he said firmly.

"I can't wait to tell Alice." I said smugly, knowing her probably reaction.

A few hours later, Edward pulled up in front of his house.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked seriously. "I can get her to accept this alone, without you being involved."

"I think I can handle her. But thanks for the offer." I said teasingly.

As we walked in, a low growl echoed around the empty room. Edward smirked, knowing what Alice was thinking. She came downstairs with an expression to match the hiss.

"Bella, dear, why do I see you winning the bet with help?" she hissed.

Suddenly, I wasn't so sure I could handle her.

"Well, Alice, you see..." I trailed off. She glared at me.

"I know I'm not going to win any way, so there's no point in being upset! I only want -"

Alice unexpectedly giggled. "You might do better than you think, Bella. I've got a special place in mind for where this is going to go down..."

Edward laughed again. The sound of it's perfection momentarily distracted me, but I focused. "Edward, where are we going?"

"Where are you going, Bella, love." he corrected me.

I was alone. Alone with a psychotic psychic and a beyond-beautiful vampire. In a bet.