sorry, this one is kind of long. i really didnt mean for it to be this long. but you know when you're writing and then you look at the page count and it says 19 and you be like how the heck did that happen?
anyways, here's the third one.
9. A Girls' Night Out
During the rest of the week, I stayed away from the bar and grill. I actually didn't have a choice since I was forced to stay away. Jasper insisted that is was a much needed vacation, but I called what it really was; which was a suspension. The only good thing about it was that I was still getting paid. The only bad thing, however – that in my opinion, totally weighted out the good – it gave me a lot of time to think. Because of this time to think and the fact I had no where else to go, I spent my time at the library. At least my grades were going up.
But not that my suspension was over, I got to hang out at the bar again. I know I give Jasper a lot of crap, but I love working with him. I didn't know how much until I was forced to stay away from here.
Now I was here and I was studying. "Hey!" I heard someone yell combined with a bucket being slammed next to me. I took my earbud out and looked up. I saw Jasper smiling at me. "Either order something or get out." He teased.
I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue out at him. "Leave me alone." I told him as I looked back down.
"Aww, is someone still pissed at me for making her leave last week?" he asked.
"What was your first guess, you tool?" I replied not looking up.
He laughed. "It was for your own good, darling. You know you would have ran yourself into the damn ground if it wasn't for me and Alice." He noted. I had to admit, he was somewhat right. When I was off that week, I got a lot of studying done and it gave me a lot time to think. So much so, that I was feeling a little bit better. Not much so, that I would go back to Edward; but still, better than I was when I first left. But there was no way I would tell him that. I rather not hear more I told you so's from him. So I kept my head down, as if I didn't hear him.
Next thing I knew, I was being squeezed to death from the side. "Jasper… let me the hell go." I urged, almost breathless.
"Don't be that way Bella. Don't be mad at me. I still love you; don't you still love me?" he teased as he hugged me tighter, if that was possible.
I shook my head. "Hell no. Now let me go." I snapped.
"Not until you say you still love me and thank me for sending you home for a week." He said.
"Jasper…" I urged through my teeth. He had his arms tightly around mine so they were locked down. I guess he did that on purpose so I couldn't attack him for putting me in this stupid hold.
He laughed at my struggle. "Just say it and I'll you go."
I sighed. "Fine. Thank you for sending me home and I still love you. Now let me the hell go or I'll find a way to hit you where it hurts the most." I threaten. He chuckled before kissing me on the side of head and letting me go. When I was free, I pushed him away from me. "When did you become more irritating than Emmett?" I said, annoyed as I fixed my hair. Squeezing me like that was something Emmett would do, I might even excepted it from his brother, but he always seemed way too cool to do something so childish.
He smiled "About round the time my brother left and I had to watch over you." he said. I rolled my eyes. I would say he had to "watch over me". I was perfectly capable of looking after myself. He leaned next to me and nudged me. "Aren't you glad we didn't let that little thing between us ruin our great friendship?"
I chuckled. "I thought we weren't bringing that up anymore." I looked at him. "Besides, you're become such a pain in my ass, I think I'm starting to regret it forgiving you."
He gave a shock look. "Forgetting me; as if it was my fault?" he repeated. I nodded. "Okay darling." He said sarcastically with a laugh as he pushed off the counter. He rounded it to go to the other side. "Besides, you know you're life would be nothing without me." I don't think it would be nothing, but it would be boring; that's for sure.
"Whatever."
He chuckled again. "What are you doing here anyways? It is your day off; or have you forgotten when that is again?" he teased. I gave a fake laugh. He was so funny, he should be a comedian. Freaking tool.
"Why does it matter?" I asked.
"Because you taking up space." He joked.
I rolled my eyes away from and back on my paper. "Don't you have something better to do than to irk the living hell out of me?" I garbled.
"Not today. You came to visit me on a slow day." He answered. I looked around to see he was right. It was almost empty. That was odd because it's usually packed around this time. I turned back to him. "Which means me back to the question: what are you doing here?" he said again.
I sighed. "Well, Alice was supposed to be meeting me."
"Alice?" he echoed, stopping me. As soon as he heard her name, his ear perked up and his widened like a small puppy getting a big bone (…no pun intended). All he was missing was a waging tail. They're so comfortable with each other when they're ganging up on me, I almost forget about their song and dance. "Alice is coming?"
I shook my head. When I did, I literally saw him slowly lose happiness like a balloon loosing air. I almost wanted to laugh at how quickly his mood changed. What just happen to jumpy Jasper; the one finding entertainment in pissing me off? "Yes, your little partner in crime was suppose to come. Sadly, she texted me a few minutes and told me she can't come."
"Why? Where is she? Is she okay?" he urged in a rush.
This time I did laugh; well, I chuckled. "My, my, my. Someone is sure obsessed with his crush's whereabouts." I teased; adding salt to his wound.
He rolled his eyes. "Please, Bella; crushes are for children."
"So what do you call it?"
"I call whatever I feel for Alice is none of your damn business." He said.
I laughed. "Oh yeah, when it comes to me and Edward, everyone can voice their damn opinion. But when it comes to you and my best friend, it none of my damn business."
He rolled his eyes again. "Okay, it's time for you to go. You're really starting to piss me off." He urged.
I stuck my tongue out at him. "Fine, moody. I have to go home and help Phil with dinner anyways." I said as I started putting my things in my bag. I zipped up my bag and threw it over my shoulder. I was about to leave, but a thought came to my mind. Saying his name reminded me of the real reason I was coming here on my day off. I mean Alice and I was supposes to meet here, but it was my idea for one reason. I turned back to him. "Hey Jasper." I called his attention.
He looked up from cleaning out a glass. "Yes, Bells."
I fixed my bag as I gulped. "Speaking of Edward; have you seen to him around or anything?" I asked.
When I said that, he got this stupid grin on his face. Almost as if he was waiting for me to bring up his brother. He walked over to me. "So, that's why you here. Trying to check up on Edward, are we?" he asked.
I shrugged. "Guilty." I admitted.
He chuckled. "No wondered I had this weird feeling of being used."
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Have you seen him or not." I wanted him to get to the point since it was already out. No need to be around the bush and pertain I was actually here for his company anymore. I mean I do love Jasper, but let's be honest he was hit the nail on the head when he said he was being used. But I couldn't honestly be blamed. He was the only linked I had to Edward at this point since I was as close to Emmett as I was to Jasper.
It was his turn to hurt my feelings when he shook head. "Not around here, anyways." I sighed in disappointment.
"Have you talked to him, at least?" I asked. I felt a little bit of hope come back when he nodded. "When was the last time you talked to him?"
He thought about it for a moment. "Sometime last week, I think." He answered.
"Did he ask about me?" I couldn't help but ask. It was Edward; how could I not asked if he asked about me. I wanted to know if he was thinking about me like I was thinking me. was he thinking about us, like I was?
He sighed as if he was annoyed to relive the memory. "More time than I could count." He answered.
I tried to fight the smile that was coming on my lips, but I had a feeling I was losing. Trying to get some control, I only let a small one slip. That had to mean he was thinking about me – thinking about us, at least – right? "And what did you tell him?" I asked.
"I told him that you were off all that week, but I'm sure you were fine." He assured me that he assured him
"Anything else?" I asked, hopeful.
He shook his head. "Bella, I really don't feel like playing a round of 21 questions, so is that it?" he asked.
"One more. Jasper, do you think he misses me?" I asked the most burning question on my mind. It was so important because I know I missed him; so much, it kind of hurts still. But if I find out that he misses me just as much as I miss him, I might go back sooner than later. Screw being strong at the point.
He sighed again as he ran his hand through his hair. "Bella, missing someone is what I would describe a puppy's excitement when it sees its owner after being left alone for a week. I can't even come up with a name with how he feels about you right because it's way more than a 'miss'." He explained, shaking his head the whole time. When he was finish talking he started walking away from me.
I followed him. I know I told him that was the last one, but when he said that, one more question was shouting at me and begging to be asked. "Jasper, do you think I should back?" I asked him.
"I thought you said the last one was last one." He complained as he rounded the counter.
"I know, but I really need your advice on this one." He looked at me, annoyed. "Last one, I swear." I promised.
He let out a breath. "I think…you two on your own, darling." He said before walking away from me.
Wait, did he think he would just walk away after saying something that. "What?" I exclaimed.
He looked at me. "I'm sorry darling, but I'm getting major headaches from you and my brother. I can't be in the middle."
"What the hell happen to the Jasper who thought he knew more about my relationship than his own nonexistent one with Alice? Jasper, we both need you; you can't give up on us." I complained.
He sighed. "I'm not. I'm just taking a step back and giving two a chance to figure this out on your own." I groaned as I looked away from him. that really wasn't the answer I was hoping to get from him on this. He would talk to me about his brother any other time. Why does choose now not to? Damn him and Alice and their fictional head pains. "You can work it out with us." He assured.
I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. See you later." I muttered as I walked away and out the door.
XXX
"That is it, Bella." Alice said one day while I was working.
"What is it, Alice?" I asked her, not caring what she was about to say, as I grabbed some dishes. She was there at first to talk to Jasper, but somehow ended up bugging me.
"I tired of you be all upset." She said.
I shook my head at her. "I wouldn't call it being all upset anymore. I'm better than I was." I told her the truth. For the past two weeks I was better. I still wasn't back with Edward, but in a way it was good. I still had a lot to think about. But other than that, I was actually better. I was talking to my mom more than ever again; I was spending a lot of time with Phil (more time than I spent with my real father after a certain age); I only worked when I was supposes to and when I wasn't, I was studying; which was bring my grades up. The only thing was I still missed Edward, but it didn't hurt as bad when I thought of him.
She rolled her eyes. "Better or not; I still think you should be having fun."
I shrugged. "I have fun." I told her.
She gave a disgusted sound as she shook her head. "Bella, please. I hardly call watching reruns of soap operas with your mom, cooking with her boyfriend and working nonstop here and on your school work fun." She complained.
I sighed hard as I leaned on the counter next to her. "So what do you suggest?" I asked her.
She grinned. But it wasn't any grin, it was her special "Alice" grin. It means she was up to something and had more tricks than anyone could count up her sleeve. I had a very bad feeling about what it could mean this time. "It seems like it's been forever since we hung out; you know, just the two of us. I am suggesting one of our infamous girls' night out tonight."
I shook my head. "Can't, I have to work until closing tonight." I told her.
She sighed disapprovingly. Then as if another light blub went off in her head, she smiled. "That's fine. We could do it tomorrow. We can start early and spent the whole day together." I chuckled and shook my head at her. She can't be serious with this plan. She furrowed her eyebrows at me. "What? It's not like we have class tomorrow and I know you don't have to work. So what's the problem?" she said, nearly snapping me the whole time.
"Nothing, but beside the fact that the whole thing sounds a little juvenile." I told her honestly.
She rolled her eyes. "And how, may I ask, did you get that?" she asked,
I chuckled again. "What do you expect us to do all day? Are we supposes to sit in one of our rooms, do each other hair and gush over the hottest actor?" I asked her.
"I think its Robert Patterson." She said with a smiled.
I rolled my eyes, knowing she was just patronizing me and missing the point. "How old are we?" I asked, taking a different approach.
She thought about it for a second before answering. "Well, you're 22 and I just turned 23." She asked.
I nodded. "Right, not sixteen. We're way too old to be having a 'girls' day'." I told her.
She laughed at me. "Bella, as always, you're thinking so small. I'm not talking about some small day in. I'm talking about something much, much big."
I crooked an eyebrow at her. "Like what?" what did my crazy best friend have in mind this time?
Her grin widened. In a minute, her face was going to break in half. "I'm thinking something like started the day at a spa, shop for some sexy new clothes." She jumped down off her stool. "Then show our new and hot looks. Maybe at new club near Seattle." She said with a wide smile. "Everyone would be looking at us as we drop it like it's hot." She said as she started dancing.
I laughed at her. "Okay, never say that again." I told her.
"Okay, shaking it like a salt shaker. Whatever. The point is we'll be dancing our asses off." She said then started dancing again. I looked around and people were looking at us. Even though I wasn't the one dancing to no music like I was crazy, I still found my face getting hot from embarrassment from all the stares.
I grabbed her and held her in place. "Stop it. People are staring at you." I urged her under my breath.
She laughed as she pushed my hands off her. "Let them." She said as she sat back down. She was never the one to get embarrassed easily like me. "If you think that was something, wait until tomorrow night."
Now I was looking at her like she was crazy. When did she hear me say yes? "I never said I was going." I reminded her.
"You never said no either and you know me; I come up with the answer I like when you don't answer." she reminded. I rolled my eyes because I knew she was right.
"Do I have a choice?" I asked.
She laughed. "Do you ever?"
I sighed. "No. fine, pick me up whenever." I told her. As soon as I agreed, I felt a pain in my side after hearing a snap. I groaned in pain as I held my side. I turned to the source and saw where it came from. I glared at him. "What the hell was that for, Jasper?" I snapped at him after he hit me with a whined up damp rag. Any other time abused me, I knew I somewhat deserved it, but I didn't see the point this time.
"Get back to work, slacker." He said as he hung the rag on his shoulder.
I was about to curse him out for hitting me. I was still a little pissed with him because he instead on not helping with Edward anymore. But Alice interrupted me. "It's my fault Jasper; I was talking to her." She said behind me.
He looked around to see where the voice was coming from. When he saw her, his whole badass boss act dropped like a die fly. If I can't count on anything, I can count on his thing for her to get in the way of being a boss when she's around. He ran his hand through his hair, the first thing he always does when their eyes meet. "It's okay Alice. It's just you're kind of distracting her."
She frowned. "Oh. I'm sorry. I can leave, if you want." She said as she grabbed her bag.
He shook his head fast. "You don't have to." He turned back to me. "She just needs to get back to work." He said to her, but looking at me.
I rolled my eyes at him. "Yes sir, bossman." I mocked him with a two finger salute, adding to it. I pushed off the counter and left them alone.
XXX
The next day, Alice was at my house bright and early. Well, she came at nine thirty; which was pretty damn early for me. she claimed we were starting late because the day started two hours ago, but she knew she would have gotten something hard and heavy thrown at her head if she woke me that freaking early. She was always more of an early bird than me.
After I shower and ate a bagel with some juice – just to have something in my stomach because I didn't know when or if she was going to feed me – she pushed me out the house saying we were "burning daylight", whatever that means. The first thing was just as she promise and we spend the morning in a spa. I had to admit that the massage I was getting while Alice was getting a facial was really relaxing. Even the person doing it said I had a lot of knots in my back and shoulder. I just told him that he didn't know the half of it. I even enjoyed the pedicure and manicure that came with the package. I couldn't think of the last time I felt so relax. Of course when Alice saw my face as we left, she gloated only like Alice Brandon could.
Afterwards, we went to the mall. Of course I walked through the door doing nothing but complaining. But like any of time, I was a waste of my breath before she kept dragging me as if she didn't hear me. She pulled me into one of her favorite stores.
"Why are we in here?" I complained as we looked through the racks and racks of clothing. The store looked much smaller from the outside.
"I told you, we're looking for something for you to wear tonight when we go to that club I was telling you about." She explained for the third or fourth time.
I looked at her. "And I told you I didn't want to go. Seriously, Alice, the spa was enough." I told her again for my third or fourth time.
She rolled her eyes. "Oh stop it Bella, you need to blow off some stress. Now stop your damn complaining. For once I can't tune it out." She looked at me. "Pick something or I will." She said.
I sighed as I turned back to the rack in front of me. I picked out something random. With all luck, if would be something good then we could leave. "What about this?" I asked, showing her a simple black dress.
She looked at it and shook her. "Nah; too boring." She said as if we were looking for something for her. I rolled my eyes as I put it back. I was about to look for something else until I heard her gasp. I looked at her. She was smiling and bouncing up and down. I was about to ask what was wrong with her, but she answered my unspoken question. "I found it; I totally found it." She exclaimed.
"What?" I walked over to her.
She pulled out and showed me a blue dress. It was dark blue and the way the small fake diamonds were shattered, it was similar to the night sky. The bottom was some kind of fold, crinkled design going all the around the bottom hem. The top was straight but it being held on the hanger with two pieces of ribbon. It was pretty there was one thing wrong with it. "Alice, the damn thing is too short for me." I told her. Without listening to me, she shoved it in my open hands. She turned me and pushed all the way into the closest dressing room. "Alice…"
She cut me off by closing the door on me. "Just try it on first and then tell me what you think about it." She said. After she closed door, I just sighed. She never listens to me. I look at the dress in my hands. I might as well try it on. There was most likely a chance she wouldn't let me out until I do.
When I got it on, I smoothed it out before looking like in the mirror. With it on, I saw how it hugged every curve and even some I didn't have. It stopped half way down my thigh. It was showing a lot of my legs, but not as much as I thought I would. It looked a lot shorter on the hanger. I was glad it wasn't that short.
I heard a knock on the door. "Bella, does it fit?" Alice asked on the other side of the house.
"Yeah. It fits." I answered, still looking at the girl in the mirror. There was no way someone that sexy was me. I never knew what Edward saw in me, but I think this dress gave me a clue.
"Let me see." She knocked again. I pulled myself away from the mirror and opened door. When she saw me, her eyes widened then she smile. She touched me then pulled away any shook her finger like she was in pain or something. "Ouch, you are way too hot in that dress." She teased.
I smiled and rolled my eyes at her lame ass joke. She couldn't have been serious with that. "You're so lame, Alice." I said as I turned back to the mirror.
I saw her looked at me in the mirror. "Seriously, Bella. It looks great on you." she approved.
I shrugged. "I guess."
"You might guess, but I know. You have to get it. This is it. This is your dress." She said.
"Maybe…" I was starting to consider the thought of actually buying the dress. I looked at the price to see how much I was losing. My eyes popped at the number on it. I flipped over to see if it was a sale or something, but came up short. That was the actually price. "It's not for this much." I announced.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"This thing is almost two hundred dollars!" I exclaimed still looking at the tag.
"So?" she said. I forgot her dad still buys most of her clothes. With all his money, her motto is to buy whatever she wants without worrying about how much it is until the credit card bill came months later. Well, my motto is that if it's the tag has a three-digit number on it and I can't live in it, cook with it or drive it, it's not worth buying and should stay in the store and wait for someone with more money.
I turned to her. "'So?' so, there's no way in hell I could afford this. It's way too expensive." I explained.
She rolled her eyes. "Don't you have money?" she asked.
I shook my head. "Not like you. plus you know I'm saving for a car." The Rabbit, that lasted me three years, finally died a few months ago. I have no one to try to bring it back to life because the only guy I trust with it is states away. Because of that, I have no car. That was why I told my mom my bike is my only source of transportation, because it is. I was only a few hundred dollars away and buying this dress will set me back so far, I might as well start over.
"You have a job that pays way more than it should. You'll replace it in no time." She tried to persuade me. I turned to the mirror. I looked at myself again. I tilted my head from one side to the other. I really did like the dress and I looked great in it, but it was just so much. Why does great fashion have to be so damn expensive? "Okay, Bella. You know how guys talk about their little black book or whatever?" she asked, taking me out of my thoughts. I nodded. "Well, girls have our little black dress. I like to call it the 'keep them looking' dress."
"What your point, Alice?"
"Bella, look at yourself. This is your little black dress."
"It's blue." I corrected her.
She rolled her eyes. "You're totally missing the point. The point is this is your dress. This is you 'keep them looking' dress." She explained.
I sighed. "I understand that, but it just cost so much." I tried to explain to her.
It was her turn to sigh. "Okay, here's the deal Bella. Either you get it or I will. Bottom line, we are not leaving this dress behind in this store."
I chuckled at her. Talking like a true shopping manic. "What would do you with this dress? It's not even in your size." I reminded her.
"I'll be getting it for you silly." She said. She hung herself on me. "So, what's going to be?" she asked. "You know you what to." She said in my ear.
She was right, I did want to. It was perfect. And I could wear it more than once. And she could be right. The way I work and the way Jasper pays me, I should at least half of the money lost after a few weeks; two months tops. There's really no reason I shouldn't get it. It was going to be brought either way I might as well get it. Plus, there was only one thing that pushed me over, but I wouldn't tell her.
I closed my eyes. Damn it, she broke me again. "Fine." I said with a sigh. I clinched as she cheered and clapped loudly behind me. I turned to her and placed my hands on her shoulder. "One condition." I told her. She nodded. "You have to give half of this back to me. I don't need my mother jumping down my throat when she 'accidently' looks into my account and see why two hundred dollars is missing for a dress." I explained to her.
She rolled her eyes. "Okay, fine." She agreed.
I pushed her out of the dressing room. "Let me change then we could spend my first car payment on this thing." I said, closing the door.
"Stop being dramatic. I swear that money would be back in the bank so fast, you won't have time to miss it." She promised.
After I changed back into my clothes, I walked out of the dressing room with the dress in my hand. Alice grabbed my other wrist and dragged me to the counter, not giving me any chance to change my mind. The store clerk smiled as she rang the dress up for $204.98. "Cash or credit?" she asked. my hand shook as I slowly held out my card to her. I heard Alice breathed hard then she yanked it out of my hand I gave it to the woman behind the counter. Then with one swipe, my account dropped from $350 to $145.02.
"You'll thank me for this." Alice assured me as I grabbed my bag and we walked out the door. I will have to see that one to believe it.
After we left the store, she pulled me to some more to find her dress. Unfortunately, she wasn't as easy of a person to shop for as I was. She pulled me in and out of stores all around the mall. And in each one of them, she had to try on at least three outfits in each store. Finally, when we were at the end of the mall, she found her – as she puts it – "keep them looking" dress. Hers was as actually was a little black dress. It was as short as mine and it crossed in the back like a diamond. It was a diamond in the front too, but unlike mine, hers had a straight hem at the bottom. Of course she had to get shoes to match. I had to put my foot down when she tried to talk me into a hundred dollar pair of heels.
We finally went home after what seem like forever in the mall. It was around 6:45 when we got to my house. She said we weren't leaving for the club until 8:00. I used that time to take a much needed shower. When I got out, we used the rest of the time getting ready. Alice did both of make-ups after we did our hair. After we were all dressed and ready, we took turns looking at ourselves in my full length mirror that leaned against my wall.
"Cute." I approved both of us.
"'Cute'?" she repeated like I insulted her. "More like drop dead hot." She corrected. I rolled my eyes. "Let's go." She grabbed cutch and we walked out of my room. As we walked down the hall to the stair, I already fell like I was going to fall over in this three inch heels Alice let me burrow.
"Alice, I really don't think these shoes are going to work." I said for what seemed like the millionth time since she told me to put them on. She looked at me and saw me using the wall for balance. She grabbed my hand and removed it for the wall.
"Sure they will. You just need to walk in them with confidence, and not like you're about to fall." She instructed.
"I feel like I'm about to fall." I told her. I rarely wore heels and when I did, they were never this high. One inch was my limit.
She shook her head. "Just try not to walk and dance too much on the heel or they will break." She warned. I wanted to act like I knew what that meant, but honestly, I didn't have clue. But I just ended up nodding at her like I understood. Thankfully, she held my hand as we walked down the stairs so I wouldn't tumble down them.
"Mom, Alice and I are leaving." I called to my mom who I knew what in the kitchen.
She came out with Phil close behind her as we were putting coats. "You two look pretty." He noted. We smiled a thanks to him.
"Yes, where are you guys going all dressed up like that?" my mother asked. even at age twenty-two, she's still concerned with how I'm dress and where I'm going. I guess it was a mom thing. Another mom thing is that I knew she would have something to say about us going to a club even though both of us are of age; which was why I didn't tell her when Alice and I came to my house. I had a feeling she would worry about us, something she tends to do. She reads way too many novels about young girls getting raped and killed in dirty bathrooms and allies and she thinks that will happen to us.
"Just out." I told her, fixing my coat. Her eyes shifted to Alice for another answer.
"Don't worry, Miss Renee. We'll just going to have a nice girls' night out." She told her with a smile. I nodded in agreement.
"Okay, well have fun you two." She said.
"Thanks. We'll be home by one at the earliest." I told her as I grabbed Alice hand and we walked out the door.
XXX
We walked through the club arm in arm. It was kind of needed so we wouldn't lose each other in the first few minutes of being there because the place was packed from wall to wall. People were bumping into us as we walked past. Some said sorry, some just kept dancing like they didn't knock Alice and me into each other. I guess they thought it was nothing since people were bumping into them and they didn't mind at all. The music was so loud, it was hurting my ears. There were flashing bright lights that almost gave me a headache even though I hadn't taken a slip of alcohol yet.
I was about to say something to Alice when we got stopped. I turned to see a guy holding her arm. He looked like he was asking her to dance. She smiled and shook her head at him. "What was that about?" I asked her, yelling over the music.
"He wanted a dance but I told him I was here with someone." She explained.
"You could've gone with him." I told her.
"No way. I'm here with you. Plus he smelt like he bathed in liquor. I rather not have some idiot drooling all over my dress and stomping all over my shoes." She said with a disgusted face. I laughed at her.
"I can't believe we've only been in here and you have guys hitting on you already." I teased.
She shrugged. "Guys are pigs." She hooked my arm again. "Let's get a drink." She suggested then we started walking towards the bar. I didn't hear what she ordered us when we got there.
"Speaking of guys…" I started as we waited.
She turned to me. "Bella, no, we are not talking about Edward tonight." She demanded.
I shook my head. "I was thinking of another Cullen." I told her. When she heard me, she gave a small oh. She didn't look at me, but I knew she knew who I was talking about. I nudged her. "What's up with you and Jasper?" I asked. I know I was said I was out, but I still wanted updates which Jasper have stop giving me.
"The guy…" she said shaking her head. She sighed hard "Jasper and I are…we're…"
"Complicated?" I finished for her, knowing that's the only way to describe the indescribable.
She chuckled. "I think we would have to be in a relationship first for us to be considered complicated." She joked. She looked at me. "I don't know what his problem is. I know he wants to ask me out, but I'm not the only one who gets tongue tied." She shrugged. "It will happen when it happens. I just have to keep waiting."
"For how long?" I asked.
She shook her head. "I don't want to talk about it. At least not tonight." She said, not giving me a full answer. I was about to say something when the bartender sat something in front of us. I turned to see two small glasses filled with a clear liquid. I knew all too well what they were.
"Shots, really Alice?" I said.
She smiled and nodded as she picked up her small glass. "I thought it was a good way to start the night." She explained. I looked at her. The last I did shots with her was about a year ago about Emmett made me take them when I made the mistake of going out with him, Jasper, Rosalie (unfortunately) and Alice for New Years. He dared all of us to take them down five in a row with stopping. Of course Jasper and I were the ones who took all five of them down like champions. At least we both got five dollars. Because the thing that happen the first and last time I got totally wasted, I stopped after that. The thing was when it rushed down my throat like it did, it kind of burned. "Come on, live a little." She urged me, when she saw me thinking about it.
I shrugged as I picked up the small glass. I held mine up for a toss. "To a stress free night."
"To a fun filled night." She correct as she tapped the side of her glass with mine. At the same time, we threw the vodka back like we were taking medicine. It was in the back of my throat in a single second. When mine was gone, I set the glass back on the counter top. When Alice was done, her body shook a little. "Okay, that's a little strong." She complained as she followed my lead with the glass. I laughed at her. I don't know why, but she was weaker than me when it came to drinking.
One of my favorite songs came on in the next minute. I grabbed her arm. "Just dance, you lightweight." I mocked her. She stuck her tongue out to me before allowing me to pull her to the middle of the dance floor.
Song after song, we kept dancing. After the fifth or sixth one, I was surprised that I pulling Alice to the closet set of seat. I'm glad my feet weren't hurting; well, not that much. Without realizing it, I figured out what Alice meant about not dancing on the heel when I decided to stop moving my feet so much because every time I did, I felt like the heel was going to break under me.
As we danced, I could almost feel the eyes of drooling and horny guys look over us. Goodness, guys see two girls dancing with each other and they have to excuse themselves to the bathroom. Whatever. For once, I didn't care about people looking at me. It seemed like the first time in a long time that I was as much as good time as I was. The last thing I was going to let happen is some people that I don't know and will probably need see again ruin my good time.
After a while, we were pulling each other back over to the bar. "I parched." Alice complained as she fanned herself. When the bartender came to us, she ordered some drink. I just got a bottle of water. One of us should be sober. As soon as the drinks came, she took a big gulp from it. I did the same thing with my water. "So, I'm guessing you're having fun." She assumed with a smile.
I laughed. "Honestly, yeah, I am. I didn't think I would, but I am."
"More fun than watching TV with your mom?" she joked.
I laughed again. "Way more; I think even more than cooking or working." I continued with the joke. We both laughed. We continued to talk and hydrated on drinks. After about fifteen minutes or so, a guy tapped Alice on the shoulder.
She turned to him. "Excuse Miss, mind dancing with me?"
She shook her head. "No thanks." She answered.
I nudged her. "You should dance with him." I told her. The guy looked way more sober than the last guy, plus he wasn't hard on the eyes.
"You sure? I don't want to leave you." she said.
I nodded. "I'm fine. I'm still resting." I nodded to guy who was still behind us. My guess was he knew were talking about him and was waiting to see if Alice will change her mind. "Go. I'll catch up." I told her. She said okay before turning and taking the guy's hand and following him to the place we just came from. I watched her dance it the guy as I continued drinking my water. I smiled and waved at her when she started getting pull deeper and deeper into the crowd.
I finished off my bottle of water. I turned back to the bartender. I was about to order another bottle. For some reason, it was really hot in here. Maybe because I was dancing so much a few minutes ago. Before I could get the attention of the guy behind the bar, I heard someone behind me. "Excuse me miss," I turned to the voice. I saw a guy with hair so dark that it almost blended in with the dark party background behind him. He had dark green eyes and his smile was wide and bright like he was promoting toothpaste. "Would you mind…"
Before he went further, I stopped him with a shake of my head. I had feeling I knew what he was going to me to dance for the simple fact that was the same thing the other guy said to Alice. "It's really nice of you to come over here, but I'm still resting so I don't really want to dance." I told him as politely as I could. However, there's no real "nice" ways to turn someone down.
He chuckled. I looked at him confused. Obviously he was taking it well. What was confusing was why he was taking it so well. "I'm sorry. I know how I made it sound, but I didn't come over to ask you to dance with me." he explained.
"Then why…"
He pointed behind me. I turned a half full drinking glass. The glass was shaped differently than from what Alice was drinking out of, so I knew it wasn't hers. I guess it was his. "You're in front of my drink." He said behind me, proving me right. I turned back to him. "I figured it would be rude to just reach around you." he explained.
"Oh." That was the only thing that came out of my mouth. The one time I think something about a guy, it's something total different. Talk about your awkward moment. "I'm embarrassed." I admitted as I moved over to the next seat so he could get his drink.
He chuckled again as he took the seat I left. "Don't be." He said ask he reached for the glass that was behind me.
I shook my head. "I am. I shouldn't have assumed like that." I told him.
"It's okay." He assured me.
I nodded, happy he didn't push it. But for some reason, I couldn't stop. "I'm not conceited or anything." I told him. he chuckled. "I'm really not. Like I said I shouldn't have just assumed like that. I mean it's not like everyone wants to hit me."
"You think that because you're not conceited." He teased before taking a slip of his drink.
I smiled shyly. "Right."
He laughed again. "How 'bout I buy you a drink to try and ease your embarrassment?" he suggested.
I nodded. "That's nice. Thanks." I agreed.
"Anything particle?" he asked as he waved the bartender over to us.
I was about to ask for another bottle of water, but I stopped myself. I'm suppose to enjoying this night, right? Living a little, as Alice putted it. She's right. I needed fun. Not to say, drinking until I can't stand is fun; but one drink isn't going to hurt me. plus, someone else is buying. So I nodded. "Umm… yeah. Can I have a dry daiquiri, with a squeeze of fresh lime and no salt around the rim? It makes the drink taste weird." I said.
He looked at me with wide eyes and then turned to the bartender. "You heard the lady." He told him as if he couldn't repeat what I said. He turned back to me. "Wow. Most girls would have just said something simple. You really know your drinks." He said.
I nodded. "I guess you can something like that. Speaking of drinks, I also know that it's a bad idea to leave yours unattended. I've seen too many bad thing happen to good people." I told him.
He chuckled. "Someone's been watching too much TV." He joked as he took a non caring slip of his drink.
I smiled. He was assuming I got that information because of a TV show. I have, but he didn't know that for sure. Didn't he learn from my mistake not to just assume things from people you just met? Maybe someone just should teach him a lesson. "Actually, I work at bar so I've seen it happen in personal more times than I like." I told him with a disgusted face.
His face his dropped. "Really?"
I nodded. "Screams that I hear from the bathrooms still ring in my ear sometimes." I continued.
He set his glass on the counter. He tiled his head slightly to side to eye me. "You're lying." He continued.
I smiled. "How'd you guess?" I asked.
"Your eyes give you away." He noted as he pointed at them.
I laughed. "I've heard that." I said with a nod. I can't tell someone how many times someone I know told me that. If complete strangers can see it with just a few minutes of talking to me, I would have to look in to trying to fix that. "But about knowledge my drinks, I wasn't lying when I said I work at a bar, well kind of." I told him. Sometimes I was a bartender when there were no tables to bust. I had to know the bar lingo so I knew what they were ordering so I wouldn't mess anything up.
"Just about hearing screams coming from the bathrooms?" he mocked. I shrugged before taking a slip of my drink that finally came. He laughed. "Where do you work, anyways?" he asked.
"You might not know it." I warned him.
He shrugged. "Try me."
"It's just a small bar and grill right outside Ports Angeles." I told him.
He looked at me like he was thinking about something. "Jasper's Bar and Grill?" He asked. I looked surprised at him. I was shocked he actually knew what I was talking about. The place was so unknown, you wouldn't know it unless you were a local, or of course worked there. I nodded anyways. "I thought you looked familiar."
"Excuse me?"
"You don't remember me, do you?" he asked.
"Sorry." I said with a shrug.
He chuckled. "Of course you don't. You served me and my grandmother a few weeks ago. The only reason I remembered is because you're the only waitress that my grandmother when on and on about as we leave." He explained.
I smiled. "That's sweet." I told him.
He shook his head. "You didn't have to hear her all the way home." He joked. We both laughed. I didn't have the joy of hearing my grandmother talk over and over about something because my grandmother died when I was about eleven and I was never really close to the other one. He may not know it now, but he's very lucky to still have his. "But I won't say she was wrong. May I say, you very pretty to tonight." He added after we finished laughing.
I smiled again. "Thank you." I said as I tucked a half fallen curl behind my ear.
"You're welcome. Blue is your color." He said.
My smile softened. It did because when he said that, it reminded me of when Edward first said that to me. It also reminded me that I still missed him, no matter how hard I try to pertain I didn't. "Thanks." I said again.
"So, may I ask a question?" he asked, hopefully changing the subject. I nodded. "You're a table busting, bartending waitress by day and a good-advice giving, party go'er by night; I don't get it." He said with a smile. I was thankful he took my unspoken wish. He must have seen the change in my face or something.
I chuckled. "I'm multitalented. I'm also learning how to juggle fire while riding a unicycle." I joked.
He laughed. "Oh, impressive." He played along with the joke. "So does Miss Multitalented have a name?" he asked as he took another sip of his drink.
"Bella." I said as I held out my hand to him.
He took it. "Greg." He replied. "Nice to meet you." he said as he shook it.
I saw a light hit something on his wrist. I turned it to see what it was. When I did, my eyes widen. It was a golden watch. But it wasn't just any golden watch; it was a very expensive kind of which I forget the name of. The only reason I could tell, because it the same one Alice's dad always wear that's worth over a hundred dollars, maybe more. I wanted to get Edward one, but I like said, it's worth hundred dollars. "That's a fancy looking watch you got there, Greg." I told him, still looking at it. I looked at him and released his hand when I saw his eyes go to it.
He looked at me and smiled. "Thanks. It was a gift."
"Must very special someone." I noted.
He nodded. "Yeah, you can say that. But I'm sure you know the feeling. I can tell you have someone special of your own." He added.
I gave him a small smile for the same reason as the first soft smile. "Haven't we learned by now to stop assuming things about each other?" I asked before taking a big gulp of my own drink.
He tilted his head. "So you don't?" he asked really confused, as if it was almost impossible that I could be single.
I looked at him. "Yes…no…I don't know…it's complicated. We're kind of taking a break right now, so I don't know what to call us." I told him honestly.
He nodded. He was about to say something, but stopped. He looked at my neck. He had a confused look on his face. He looked like he got distracted by something. "Why are you doing that?" he asked.
"Doing what?" I asked, not knowing what in the world he was talking about. Why was he looking at my neck?
"You're holding that charm around your neck." He said as he nodded to it. I looked down to find my hand tight gripped around the 'E' shaped charm. Sometimes I forget I have this on.
"I didn't know I was." I said honestly as I dropped my hand from my neck. I hold it a lot I don't realize I do, but people say that catch me doing that more than once. I don't know why I hold it, or when I started to do it. I know the first time I knew I was doing it was my first day of senior year and I got a taste of how the rest of the year would be. After I visit him and told him about, I went home and cried myself to sleep; holding my charm the whole time. Somehow, I felt closer to him when he wasn't with me. I guess it's like a comfort thing now.
Greg looked closer at it. "E. That's the guy." He concluded as he looked at me. I nodded. He leaned back "You don't want to talk about him." he guessed. I shook my head. Either this guy was really good at guessing or I was as easy to read as Edward always teases. Greg stood up. "Well, let's take your mind off it." He held out his hand. "How about the dance you thought I was going to ask you for minutes ago." He teased with a smile. I smiled back. I was more rested now. I nodded as I took his hand. I followed him to a part of the dance floor.
The song Don't Stop the Music by Rihanna came on. It was an old song but I was just happy it was a fast song.
He twirled me before pulling me to him. At first I wasn't comfortable being that close to him, but I let the music take over me. Plus it helped that I was a tad bit tipsy. I turned myself so my back was to him and I continued to dance close to him. I took his arm and wrapped it around my waist as I hooked my arm around his neck and moved our hips to the beat of the music.
I didn't care how this looked; I just wanted to be free and dance. It was innocent. So much for wanting a fast song.
I grabbed his hand and turn back to him. he placed both of his hands on my hips and swayed me to the music. I wrapped my hands loosely around his neck as I continued to step back and forward to him. I giggled as he turned me in a circle again. I laughed as I tripped and fell into his arm.
"Crap. Stupid heel." I said. I told Alice these damn things were a bad idea.
"What's wrong?" he said, with a light chuckle as he held me.
"Nothing." I said as I tried to stand up. But as I did, I fell again. He caught me again. "I think my heel broke." I noted. I held on to him as I took off one of my shoe. I sighed. "Yep, it did. Can we go sit down?" I asked him. He nodded then I hopped over to the bar with one shoe in my hand. We sat where we were sitting before. When we were sitting, I took the other shoe off and toss them to the side. I will have to buy Alice another pair.
He laughed at me. "You sure that's a good idea?" he asked. I shrugged, not really caring one way or another.
I turned to him and smiled. "I'm having so much fun." I told him honestly.
"I could tell. You looked happy."
"I was. I am. I can't remember the last time I had this much fun. It seems like forever ago. It's actually sad. I mean I use to have fun like this, but I don't know what happen. I guess I got older or something." I ranted out to him. "But tonight, I feel so free. I don't know when I felt so… so…"
"Free?" he guessed with a chuckled.
I chuckled back. "For lack of better words, yes. It seems like for so long, I've been in some kind of cage. Tonight, the lock was broke and I got to jump out. I don't know if it has to do with this guy or not. I don't want to feel like he's keeping me locked in a cage because I know he isn't meaning to, you know."
He chuckled again. "Yeah, I do." He said and nodded. I was ranted for some reason. I knew this, but I couldn't stop myself.
I rolled my eyes. "Of course you do. You've been, like, reading me so well all night."
He shrugged. "You're easy to read."
I rolled my eyes again. "I can't tell you how many times I hear that." I told him. I took of my drink that I let here. When I was finish drinking, he took the glass away from me. "Hey!" I said with a smile.
He laughed at me. "I think you've had enough." He said.
"What makes you say that?" I asked.
"Because you're drunk." He noted.
I shook my head fast. "For the first time tonight, you're wrong. I'm not drunk. Believe me, you would know it with any questions. Ask my friend, Jasper. He's the only one who's seen me the only time I was really wasted. I'll admit, I might be a little buzzed, but I am not drunk. It take way more than one drink to get me drunk." I ranted again.
He laughed. "I'll take your word for it." He said as he gave me the glass back.
"Thank you." I said as I took it and finished off the drink. "Here, I'll give you the chance to read me again."
He laughed. "Okay." He played along.
I placed my hands on his shoulder and closed my eyes. "So tell what I'm thinking now." I said as I closed my eyes.
"You're thinking about him." he guessed.
I giggled as I shook my head. "Nope, wrong again; maybe you're not as good as I thought." I opened one of my eyes to look at him. When I did, I let out a laugh I couldn't hold in. I dropped my hands. "I'm thinking I don't want to talk about him anymore." I stood up. "I was also think about how much I want to dance again." I grabbed his hand. "So come on." I urged as I pulled him again.
He smiled as he stood up. "What about your shoes?" he asked but let me pull him away from the bar.
I shrugged. "They're dead." I told him.
"Okay." he said. "But none of that video girl dancing." He said as he grabbed my other hand.
I gasped. "I take offence to that."
"Good, because it was an insult." I stuck my tongue him. he chuckled. "Let me show you something." He held our arms up high. "Follow my lead." I watched our feet as I stepped followed as he stepped back, then he stepped forward as I stepped back. "Step faster." He said so our steps was going to the beat of the Reggie music. I felt him moved one of my hands to his shoulder as he held the other. his hand moved to my hip. "Sway with the music." He instructed.
I did what he told me. he took his hand from my hip and placed it under my chin. He lifted it so I looking into his eyes. "Look at me. Don't look at your feet. When you do, you think about it. Don't think about it. Let the music control you and not your mind." He said.
I nodded as he placed his hand back my hip. Once he said that, I felt myself moving more fluently with the music. Every time I felt myself looking at my feet, he reminded me to look at him.
I found myself laughing and giggling as he started to move faster. Then when felt I was getting it, he was twirling my again. I was happy to just dance. Tonight, it seem like dancing was solving everything. He pulled me back to him and we started to dance like we were before he spined me. He whipped me out in a spin. I spun twice in a full circle before dancing back to him. We danced again before he dripped me. He dripped me so far down, I was about two inches from the ground. "You're a great dancer." He said then pulled us back in the standing position. "For a rookie." He teased.
I laughed. "Says you." I said as we started dancing again.
"Mind if I say something?" he asked as he led me again. I nodded. He stopped us. "Bella, if its not being nosy, you're pretty, witty, great dancer." He added last one with a smile. I smiled back. "I don't know what going one between you and the guy you don't want to talk about, but if he sees what I do – plus whatever else great about you that he loves – he will remember that sooner or later. Before you know it, whatever problems you'll having will not be enough to keep you two apart." He said.
I couldn't help but smile harder at his words. "You really think that?" I asked. he nodded. Before I could think about what I was doing. I reached up and gave him a hug. "Thanks for saying that. I just hope you're right." I said in his ear.
"May I cut in?" I heard a voice. It almost sounded mad. I released Greg. I turned to see who it was and why he sounded so upset. Then my eyes popped and my mouth dropped.
"Edward?"
that was first third, keep going.
R & R-ing
Luv & Rockets.
