AN: Thanks for all the great reviews! They gave me the motivation to get this chapter out sooner than I probably would have.

I hope you enjoy this one!

Disclaimer: No matter how much I wish I did, I don't own Twilight. That awesomeness belongs to Stephanie Meyer. :)

BPOV

It felt so nice to be able to sit down and relax at Starbucks, where I was currently sitting with Leah, after having to run around almost non-stop for this past week. This week I basically worked my ass off at the studio, doing cover shoots for various magazines, running from mobs full of crazy fans, working with my personal trainer, and trying my damndest to make Jasper's time at the studio a living hell of course (insert evil cackle here).

"Bella?"

Hmm it was already June 26th. Wait a second… That meant Paul's birthday was in ten days! Paul and I had been a couple for three years now so I definitely needed to get him something special.

"Bella, you with me?"

Paul and I met one day when Jake and I were hanging out. I had been riding my motorcycle and didn't see a huge-ass rock that was chillin' in the middle of the road. Next thing I knew, I was sprawled in the dirt with a fuck-hot guy crouching over me asking if I was okay. This is pretty much how the conversation went:

"Are you alright?" Hot guy said to me.

"Huh?"

"You're bleeding."

"Uh…"

"Can you walk?"

Cue the drool.

I'm pretty sure he thought I was mentally challenged after that. But once he found out that I could actually form a coherent sentence (and after a trip to the emergency room) we found out we had a lot in common.

Jake thought it was the funniest thing ever and still makes fun of me for that. You think he would be a little more concerned about the fact that I nearly DIED! But no, he was too busy bent over laughing his ass off at my expense. Gah!

"Bellaaaa!"

"Hmm?"

"I said are you blah blah blah blah."

Hmm I wonder if Paul would like to travel to Paris with me for his birthday. We could get a great hotel room overlooking the Eiffel tower. Tanya Denali (one of the producers of Blue Skies) told me that the Hotel De Crillon was good. Maybe we could stay there. I could book us a presidential suite.

"BELLA ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?" Leah screamed at me.

I jumped, startled. Several people turned around in their seats and gave us dirty looks. Then recognition crossed their faces before a crowd suddenly gathered around our table.

By now I'm pretty used to the screeching fans and people shoving paper and pens in my face. This wasn't anything different. I sighed before starting to sign autographs and getting blinded by the flashing lights of cameras going off.

Leah and I had decided to grab some soy lattes at Starbucks before heading back to the studio. We had a break for lunch and there was no way I was hanging around Jasper any more than I had to.

"Of course I was listening! What kind of friend do you think I am?" I stated indignantly, even though I had no idea what she had been saying. Not that I would fess up to that though…he he.

"Then what was I saying?" She said, crossing her arms. She was obviously not going to let this go.

"What, you don't believe your own friend? That hurts," I put on my best pouty look as I scribbled my autograph down for a high school girl. My hand was starting to cramp and my coffee was getting cold because of all of the signing I was now doing.

"And couldn't you have kept your voice down," I muttered, pointedly looking at the now thinning crowd. Some people were jumping up and down saying things like, "Bella Swan touched my hand!" and "I wonder if I can nick Bella Swan's napkin! That would make me a fortune on eBay!" I rolled my eyes at that one.

Leah looked a bit guilty about that but she huffed in exasperation. "That pouty look doesn't work on me. Try Emmett or Jake for that one." She laughed. "What got you so distracted anyway? You were like on your very own planet for a while there."

I shrugged. "I guess I just have a lot on my mind. I was thinking about Paul's birthday on the 6th." Leah nodded in understanding.

"Oh yeah. So what are you going to get him?" She asked, wrinkling her nose.

Leah and Jake never liked Paul for some reason. I never understood why. He was always sweet and caring to me. Leah always said he rubbed her the wrong way. I don't know what Jake's problem with him is though. I should ask him about that…

"I don't know. I want to do something special for him, you know? I was thinking about arranging a romantic trip for the two of us. I've been leaning towards Paris." I paused and bit my lip. "But maybe Venice would be good too," I added thoughtfully.

Leah shook her head in awe. "Wow I wish I could afford to do something like that for people's birthdays." I didn't know what to say to that so I just took another sip of my latte. I decided to change the subject.

"So what's going on with you and Jake?" I asked innocently.

She had just taken a sip of her coffee and my question caused her to cough and splutter.

"You okay there?" I asked.

"Uh yeah I just swallowed the wrong way." She looked so nervous that I just had to take pity on her.

"I'm sure he feels the same way about you too Leah." Her surprised expression was almost comical.

"Oh give me a break! It's so obvious that the two of you like each other!" I said exasperated.

She abandoned her shocked expression in favor of a hopeful one.

"You really think he likes me?"

"Definitely! I see the way he looks at you! He's probably just scared you'll reject him or something. Emmett and I have even taken bets to see when you two would get together!"

"Excuse me? You're betting on my love life?" Oh shit. I hadn't meant to say that. I scratched the back of my neck nervously and then waved a hand dismissively.

"That doesn't matter right now. What does matter is the fact that you two would be great together! I swear Jake is becoming too uptight these days. He needs to get seriously laid!" Leah's face took on a subtle pink tinge at that.

She hit my arm. "Shut up," she muttered. Suddenly, her lips tugged upwards at the corners. "What were the stakes?"

"Huh?"

"You made a bet with Emmett, what were the stakes?"

I shook my head and groaned. "I don't want to think about it. It's the worst thing he could have thought up for me. Although, if I win, it'll be so worth it." I laughed as we exited the coffee shop, ignoring all the staring and pointing going on around me.

I squealed as soon as I walked into the studio. Paul was here! He rarely ever visits me at the studio because he is always busy working.

He works in graphic design so if he isn't at his office, he is lugging his lap top around. He does a lot of work with website layouts.

"Paul!" I screamed as I launched myself into his arms. His muscular arms caught me as I wrapped my legs around his waist. He laughed.

"It's good to see you too babe." Once he set me down, he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. I instinctively leaned my head against his chest, feeling his lips press against my temple in a chaste kiss.

"How are you Leah?" He spoke over my shoulder. Leah made an indescribable noise in the back of her throat and made her way over to where Jake was standing. He was shooting disgusted looks Paul's way. I would seriously need to talk to the two of them. This has been going on for three years!

I can't take my best friends acting like this towards my boyfriend much longer! I don't even know why they don't like Paul. He's always nice to them…at least when I'm around.

Paul's voice jostled me out of my thoughts. I really need to pay more attention to what people are saying… This is the second time today! Ok Bella, focus!

"I can't stay long, because I need to go back to the office soon. I just wanted to surprise my favorite girl." I smiled at that. "And I was wondering if you wanted to go out for dinner tomorrow night. I would take you out tonight but I've been pretty busy with this new project I've been working on."

He paused and added as an afterthought, "I was actually surprised I got away for the little bit I did, so I chose to come and see you."

He looked so overworked that I just wanted to soothe him. I could see dark circles under his eyes and his hair, which was normally well kept, was slightly disheveled.

I nodded and gave him a bright smile. "I would love to go out to dinner with you tomorrow night."

He smiled and leaned down to peck me on the lips before he pulled away. It was then that I noticed Jasper and his evil pixie sidekick standing a few feet away (cue dramatic supervillain music). Jasper was looking my way and there was a gleam in his eyes. Oh no. This can't be good.

Paul turned to leave and had taken a few steps when Jasper sidled up to me. "Hey baby. I had a great time with you earlier. We'll have to have a repeat of that performance once you can get away from your boyfriend again," he said suggestively, just loud enough for Paul to hear.

He then leaned down and slapped my ass and winked!

Paul knows I hate Jasper with a passion so I wasn't worried about this causing a problem between the two of us but the fact that he slapped my ass is another story.

Paul spun around on the spot and was about to lunge for Jasper when I put a calming hand on his arm.

"It's alright Paul," I murmured. Then louder so that Jasper could hear, "don't mind Jasper. He's just in a pissy mood. It only makes sense. I heard about some of the side effects of Viagra. They don't sound pleasant.

Isn't that the medication you are on Jasper?" I scrunched up my face like I was thinking hard about something. "I thought I overheard you talking about how you were having certain issues lately…" I trailed off staring pointedly at his crotch. (AN: no offence to those who take Viagra or know anyone who takes it lol).

Paul doubled over laughing. I saw Leah and Jake shaking with laughter from the corner of my eye as well. I could have sworn that even the pixie bitch's lips twitched in amusement. Then she resumed her glare that just made her look constipated.

Jasper took a step closer to me and smirked. "I assure you I don't have any problems in that area. If you weren't such a stuck-up prissy bitch I might offer to show you."

I scoffed but before I could say anything else I was cut off by the director, Scott. "Alright, enough you two. Let's get back to work." With that Paul planted a kiss on my lips and threw a glare towards Jasper before walking out the door. I flipped Jasper the one finger solute before getting into position on set.

I stared up into his blue eyes. "I won't let him get near you," Jasper whispered.

I looked down and let a single tear drop down my cheek (I got pretty good at that through all my years of acting).

Jasper put a finger under my chin and lifted my head up so that I was looking into his eyes again. "I think it is about time you told your dad about this. He is the police chief and all. He will know what to do," he said gently.

I shook my head violently. "No. I refuse to let James cause everyone to worry."

"You said you would tell your dad about this if he hadn't stopped by the time Christmas was over," he stated angrily. (AN: in the show, only a couple of months have passed since the show had taken a break after the season finale in December. I'm sorry if it's a little confusing).

"I mean, look at this note!" He then proceeded to read it to me.

"Roses are red

By my side you'll always be.

I'm counting down the days

Until it will just be you and me."

He threw the note down beside the latest rose that my character's psycho ex-boyfriend, James, had dropped off.

"Look, I don't think I need to tell anyone."

I continued quickly after he started to protest, "I mean he has only left notes and roses. That hardly qualifies for a restraining order."

He shook his head, unconvinced. "It's not so much that he leaves notes, but the content in them."

I sighed and closed my eyes. "They are only notes and roses," I repeated my earlier sentiments.

"For now," he whispered.

I looked away and bit my lip. "He wasn't always like this, Jackson," I said quietly. "Or maybe that's just it. He was always like this but I didn't want to believe it." I choked on a fake sob.

Jasper wrapped his arms around me and wiped his fingers across my cheeks to rid them of the tears I had forced out. His warm breath fanned across my face making me want to gag. I ignored that reflex and adorned that disgustedly loving expression that my character frequently wore around him.

"Kristen, I won't let him get near you," he repeated his earlier words passionately. I gave him a watery smile.

"I love you baby," he whispered.

"I love you too," I replied, trying to ignore the urge to puke as those words left my mouth.

He smiled and leaned down, capturing my lips with his. I swear I felt bile rising up my throat when his tongue entered my mouth! Ewww! He was definitely not the one I wanted to be doing this with!

It was a relief when the director finally called cut. I very nearly took half the set down with me when I bolted away from him, hearing Jasper's laughter echo after my hasty departure.

"I mean seriously, I don't know how much more of this I can take Lee-lee. If I have to make-out with him one more time…" I trailed off disgustedly. Leah snorted but chose not to comment.

Leah and I have taken up post in the bathroom once I was finished with filming. Well it was more for me. Leah would just keep me company when I was like this.

I poured some more mouth wash in my mouth and swished it around. This became a frequent routine of mine. Whenever I had to make-out with that disgusting thing on set, I would barricade myself in the bathroom afterwards and gargle until my tongue would go numb.

"Okay honey, I think you've had enough. I'm officially cutting you off," Leah said while shaking her head and grabbing my half empty bottle of Listerine.

"There's not enough mouthwash in the world to get rid of Jasper's taste in my mouth," I grumbled. "You know, I think he had tuna fish for lunch today on purpose!" I shuddered involuntarily.

Thinking about Jasper was seriously putting me in a funk. I definitely needed to do something to make this day better. I refused to let thoughts of Jasper ruin my Friday night.

With that thought a smile took over my features. I spun around so fast that I nearly fell over. I would have if Leah hadn't grabbed my shoulders to steady me.

"Whoa, easy there," Leah laughed.

I ignored her and instead started jumping in place, clapping my hands together like one of those deranged monkey robot things.

"You know what I just realized?" I asked. Leah shook her head, eyeing me warily.

"It's Friday!" I was now vibrating in place.

"Yeah…" Leah spoke slowly.

"And we don't have to work tomorrow!"

We have the weekends off since the studio is closed during those days.

I continued on, "plus I got this new killer outfit…" I looked at her expectantly.

"Please tell me you know where I'm going with this!" I whined exasperatedly. She rolled her eyes at me.

"Come on Leah! I have to burn off some steam! I swear I lost a couple dozen brain cells hanging around that idiot too much. I can almost feel my brain turning to mush! Besides, when was the last time we had a night out on the town. I can't remember the last good drink I had!"

I suddenly put my hand to my mouth and gasped dramatically. "Oh. My. God! I'm turning into mother freaking Teresa! At the rate I'm going I might as well join a convent!" I waved my hands through the air maniacally.

"I don't think you would actually qualify to join a convent due to your little escapades with a certain annoying someone," Leah countered, wearing a bemused expression.

I stared at her un-amused.

"Oh ha ha," I replied sarcastically. "Seriously though, we need to get out! A night out is just what the doctor ordered!"

Leah laughed at my outburst but a slow smile spread across her face.

"Where did you want to go?"

I squealed. "Eclipse of course!" My voice reverberated around the tile of the bathroom making it sound ten times louder.

Leah clasped her hands over her ears dramatically. "Jesus girl! You'll be receiving a bill for the hearing aid I now require!" I rolled my eyes at her but resumed jumping in place.

Eclipse was one of my favorite places to hang out. It was a 21 year old and over night club that had the best music and drinks.

"Okay, sounds good," Leah agreed. "I'll go tell the others." Leah turned to leave.

"Once you do that, meet me outside at my car. You are coming over to my house so we can get ready together. I just got this new outfit that Jake would keel over if he saw you wear."

Leah blushed but nodded in acceptance. She knew there was no stopping me when I got this way.

Once she had walked away I headed off to my dressing room to grab my things. Luckily I didn't run into Jasper on the way.

I was practically skipping through the doorway into my room, anticipating the possibilities of this night out, when I stopped dead in my tracks.

On the table in my dressing room was another red rose and a piece of paper. Jasper is relentless, I'll give him that. But couldn't he have been more original instead of copying from the show? I mean this is like the tenth time he has done this! He is seriously begging for a nice ass kicking courtesy of moi. I smiled vindictively at that thought.

I rolled my eyes and crossed the room. I picked the note up to see what it said:

Roses are red

My love for you is deep.

You are adorable

When you talk in your sleep.

"What the hell?" I screeched. How did Jasper know that I talked in my sleep? Okay this is getting weird and really annoying. I crumpled the piece of paper up and threw it and the rose in the trash bin.

"He really needs to know when to stop," I muttered. I shook my thoughts off and grabbed my purse before flicking off the lights and leaving for a much needed night out.

AN: If anyone was wondering, the ages for the main characters are as follows:

Bella: 24

Jasper: 27

Paul: 26

Leah: 25

Jake: 26

Emmett: 28

Seth: 22

Alice: 23 (will be more prevalent in future chapters)

Edward: 26 (will appear later)

Rosalie: 27 (I haven't mentioned this yet, but Jasper and Rosalie are twins. She'll be in this story later as well).

Let me know if I forgot anyone.

Next chapter will be the night out. I've already started writing it. I have a few ideas for this story but I'm still pretty much winging it at the moment.

Please review and let me know what you think! Thanks for reading!

Love,

Katie