Twilight's not mine.

P.S. Bella enjoys the pharmaceutical side of things in this chapter, just a heads-up. There's also an allusion to violence.

BPOV

I awoke the next morning to a pounding headache. To say I was hung over from the previous day would be... putting it mildly.

I moved into the bathroom and groaned. While I had showered the night before, I hadn't done anything with my hair afterwards, and now it resembled a very poorly made bird's nest. In the mirror, I found that the dark circles under my eyes looked deeply set in, and I looked like I hadn't slept in days. The ache in my limbs as I attempted to stretch reminded me of how tight Edward's grip had been. Edward...

Would he be pissed at me for turning him down? I debated whether or not I should tell him why. Now that I was completely clear again, I wondered what I could possibly say. 'Gee, sorry, I was bleeding from my vagina that day' just didn't sound like a nice excuse. Well, it didn't sound very tactful, at least. I could be honest with him if he asked me point blank, but I got the feeling he wouldn't. He would probably assume I was a royal bitch, and a definite tease. Both of which I could work to my advantage at a later date, when I was no longer going through an economy-sized box of tampons and feeling like I'd swallowed the Stay-Puff marshmallow man.

Not to mention the fucking cramps.

I rifled through the medicine cabinet, desperate for some Midol, but apparently my stock had run dry. I clutched at my stomach, trying to mentally will the pain away, but it refused to subside. I groaned again, realizing that I'd have to actually go outto pick some up. Fuck.

I grumbled all the way back to my room, trying not to throw up as the scent of eggs wafted up the stairs to assault my nostrils. Charlie made a mean omelet. In fact, it was one of the onlythings he could make. But now was so not the time for eggs. No eggs, no pickles, nothing with vinegar, no movies with blood, no stilettos, no steak, no tight clothing.

No fun.

I was like a pregnant lady from hell when I was on my period. I'd crave the weird foods, but stay away from most of the normal ones. And it took a couple days, but once the bloat and cramping hit, I was officially miserable to be around. I pitied Charlie, because he wouldn't want to know that I was going through my time of month, but he'd still know. I wouldn't put any added discomfort on him by asking him to get Midol for me, but I was still going to be a pain in the ass for the next couple days.

Back home in Phoenix, Renee had of course understood what I was going through, having been the reason I'd inherited these awful symptoms. She'd let me stay home from school a couple days each month, she'd bought me gallons of Mocha Almond Fudge and Pistachio ice cream, along with limes and caramel sauce. She knew what sweats, a perpetual frown and endless moaning meant. Charlie wouldn't understand, and would no doubt be terrified of my estrogen-induced state. The thought of crying in front of him because we were out of pain relief scared even me, and I tried to use that as my motivation as I dug out my ratty old gym sweats and shirt from Phoenix.

I would get dressed, I would go out, I would get my ownMidol. My mother was not here to take care of me me, and I would not beg Charlie to do anything for me.

I managed to get my sweats on, but as I took off my pajama shirt, I keeled over onto the bed, gasping in pain as another cramp ripped the inside of my stomach to shreds. I grabbed at my sheets, clutching them like a life support, trying desperately to get up. I wouldn't ask Charlie. I would not. I would not put him through that embarrassment.

"Fuck!" I screamed into my pillow. I gasped again, pounding my fists into the pillow like a child. I couldn't bring myself to move to put the shirt on, and it seemed the more time I waited for the pain to subside, the worse it got. I reached out the nightstand, blindly searching for my cell phone.

The line rang three times before the bright voice greeted me much too cheerily for this time of morning.

"Good morning, Bella!"

"Aliiice," I groaned out.

"Bella? What's wrong?" Panic filled her voice, and I wailed again as I felt the walls of my stomach being sawed in half. "Bella!"

"Alice," I whispered as tears began falling. "I'm out of Midol."

"What?" she asked, confused.

"It hurts and I don't have any Midol!" I sobbed.

It was quiet for a second, and if I hadn't been so blinded by pain, I might've been able to see the realization dawning on her pretty pixie face.

"Oh! Bella, I'll be there as soon as I can, okay? Is there anything else you want? Anything else you need? Ice cream? Coke? A cocktail?"

"Ben n Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie," I croaked out.

"On my way!"

Fifteen minutes later, I was curled into a pitiful ball on my bed, rocking back and forth as tears streamed steadily down my face. I heard the vague sound of the front door being opened, followed by Charlie confusedly agreeing to let Alice upstairs.

I only had to wait seconds before the pixie was in my room and at my side, hovering over me.

"Oh, Bella!" she exclaimed sadly. I squinted up at her, and her tiny hand swept the hair away from my face. "Here you go."

She shoved two little pills into my hand, along with a larger one that certainly wasn't just in the aisle.

"Vicodin," she explained solemnly. "When it gets really bad for me, Carlisle gives them to me. I have a nice little stash built up for these types of situations. They take all the pain away," she smiled softly. I nodded in agreement, readily accepting the water she held out to me and downing the pills. I laid back down and waited for the pills to kick in, and Alice kicked off her shoes and pulled me close to her on the bed.

She rocked me softly, stroking me head and humming quietly as the pain slowly left my body. Her hands were cool against my hair and shoulders, but I relished the feeling of comfort she provided. She was doing for me what Renee should've been there to do, and I loved her that much more for it. As soon as I was mostly in the free and clear, I pulled back and looked into her bright face. She smiled at me, and I felt my eyelids droop slightly.

"You might be a little high," she winked, "but it's a fantastic feeling, especially coupled with this." She reached behind herself and lifted the plastic bag that housed my ice cream. I laughed, hugging her tightly.

"Thanks, Alice." She was right. My head felt like it was swimming, but it wasfantastic. I felt heavy, and bendable, and I was certain that I'd be able to Moon Walk with great ease if I tried.

"Anytime!" She sat up, extracting a pint for me, and one for herself. She pulled two plastic spoons from the bag as well, and we sat cross-legged on the bed as we ripped off the seals. We ate in silence for a couple minutes. I savored each bite, swirling the chocolate on my tongue and feeling it melt. It was divine.

Alice frowned as she finally caught sight of my sweats. "Um... Bella," she said uncertainly. She poked a finger through one of the holes. "What," she wiggled her finger inside of it, causing me to chuckle, "are these? That bra is super hot, but these? Really?"

I laughed a little harder, snorting even, before I met her eyes again. Her face clearly showed her distaste for my current state of dress. She frowned and shook her head, wincing. I guess torn, maroon sweats weren't in vogue as of late.

"These," I held up a leg proudly, "are my gym pants from Phoenix." Her little nose wrinkled, and I laughed again. "I love them. I know, they've been massively abused, but they are just so comfy. Oh, come on, like you don't have period pants!"

She rolled her eyes and smirked at me. "Of course I do, but yoga pants are much more fashionable, didn't you know? I mean, holey sweats? Bella, please. I know!" she clapped her hands together. "Let's go shopping for new period clothes!"

Now it was my turn to wince. Shopping was not at the top of my fun list. As much as I enjoyed fashion and looking good, I actually hated shopping. Ebay and Craigslist were probably two of the greatest friends I had ever had, since I didn't have to go into actual stores to acquire my goods. Looking at Alice now, though, her eyes sparkling and hopeful, I found I couldn't say no to her. Would I ever be able to say no to this girl? I sighed.

"Mmkay."

She squealed, and I winced again. "Sorry!" she laughed. "Okay, so, when do you want to go? I mean, obviously today is out of the question since you're... well... crampy and all, but how about one day after school this week? Because I don't really want to wait until next weekend, and I think Jasper and I have plans anyway, so..." she trailed off, tapping her chin thoughtfully. I ate another bite of fudge brownie, sighing in contentment. This girl was too much. She really did remind me a lot of Sam, though. Sam had been the same ball of energy, always eager and ready to go for anything. Man, did I miss home.

"Bella, why are you frowning?" Alice leaned towards me. She got a confused look on her face. "The drugs aren't wearing off all ready, are they? I have more, I brought extra for you if you need it." She began to reach down for her bag, but I halted her.

"No," I began wistfully. "It's just... I miss Phoenix, you know?" She nodded sympathetically, then tilted her head, waiting for me to continue. I didn't want to just start crying my eyes out about my old home, but I didn't think Alice would be offended if I did. She was so kind. Obviously, I mean, the girl showed up almost immediately after I'd called her crying, stock full of ice cream and drugs. Alice was easily my new best friend. I loved her all ready.

"It's kind of weird... starting over so late in the game, you know? I have to build up all these relationships again, I have to meet new people and create new friendships. I have to start over with classes, and hope that I'm on top of everything and not too far behind. I have to somehow build up a relationship with a father that I've never really known, and I had to leave behind my head case mother to fend for herself with her new husband. I left my best friend, my pseudo but not really boyfriend, who was really great with his hands, but, honestly, he was kind of a jerk, because he sort of had another girlfriend..."

Alice watched me speak with serious interest, but her eyebrows shot up when I mentioned Justin having another girlfriend. She didn't say anything though, letting me continue until I was completely done. I told her about Justin and Valerie, and how bad things were beginning to get right before I left.

"Was that why you left?"

"I don't know. I never thought about it like that... Mom and Phil were going to Florida, and I didn't want to go. I couldn't deal with the continuous movement that his job was going to require, and if I was going to have to start over, I was only going to do it once. I suppose that if they hadn't been leaving, I might've left anyways because of that. For a little while, at least. Val was real bitch. She wasn't technically his girlfriend at that point, but I still felt... like..." I shook my head angrily, not wanting to talk about it anymore. I didn't divulge everything to Alice; I hadn't even told Sam everything that had happened. I had no idea if she knew anything now that I was gone, but I'd be willing to bet that Val had told the entire school what a filthy whore Bella Swan was. The bitch.

"Well... you're here now. And I don't think I really have to say it, but you've all ready found yourself a new set of friends." I smiled gratefully at her, and her eyes sparkled again. "And... quite possibly a new relationship," she popped the p, nudging me and winking. I rolled my eyes, but giggled in spite of myself.

"Yeah... I don't know about that."

"Why not?"

"He's a little, I don't know... standoffish? He's kind of wishy-washy. Like he can't make up his mind. He pushes forward and then he pulls back again."

She looked thoughtful again, but this time I could see confliction on her face. She tapped her chin again, opening her mouth and shutting it again a couple of times before she slowly began again. "Edward... doesn't necessarily trust very easily. He's only had one real girlfriend, and that didn't work out very well. Every other girl he was with was only for the sex." She smiled apologetically at me and I shrugged. Only for the sex. So what. We'd all had those relationships, or were going to at some point, the way I figured it. It didn't bother me in the slightest that Edward used girls for sex.

Not one single bit.

Not at all.

"Anyway, he kind of keeps himself away from people, emotionally at least." She took a deep breath. "He didn't have... something happened last year that made him... sort of..." she stopped again, looking uncomfortable.

"You don't have to tell me. If he wants me to know, he can tell me." As curious as she was making me, I didn't want her to tell me anything that Edward himself wouldn't want me to know. I had my own secrets to keep, and I sure as hell wouldn't want anyone to know about them unless I had personally confided in them. I might be a bitch, but I know better than to be nosing around in shit that isn't mine to nose in.

She pursed her lips and then gave me a small, sad smile. "Yeah. He'll tell you. Anyway," she brightened. "Shopping?"

I laughed, glad to be moving to lighter-mostly lighter-topics. Shopping still sucked in my book, but it was better than spilling unwanted secrets.

***

Monday was... interesting.

Edward didn't speak to me the whole day, but he wasn't necessarily ignoring me. I was too blissed out on the extra Vicodin Alice had given me to really notice, and we didn't technically haveto interact. At lunch, Jasper and I talked about politics, a floating and easy conversation carried over from history. Everyone else ignored us, though I did catch Edward watching intently a couple of times. I resisted the urge to flip him off and stick my tongue out at him.

During Bio, we were given a long, boring lecture on plant life and the effects of photosynthesis. Banner was kind of a drone, and I kept finding it hard to be interested in his lectures, regardless of how interesting the actual subject content may have been. Edward wrote and stared out the window most of the class, and jumped out of his seat immediately after it was over.

Tuesday was much the same, but I noticed him watching me more. I'd stared back with confidence, trying to keep a straight face as he'd glare and look off in another direction.

By Wednesday, I was beginning to get frustrated. I wore something mildly sexy, since I was no longer bloated and my period was finally completely over. Tight jeans, v-neck sweater. I caught both Emmett and Jasper stealing glances at my chest. I wasn't surprised that Emmett looked, but definitely that Jasper did. I supposed he was only a man, and I couldn't get too upset-after all, I had worn this specifically to catch the eye of a boy. To my supreme disappointment, however, Edward only looked my way once, then actually didignore me for the rest of the day.

Thursday was the day Alice and I had decided to go shopping.

Monday she had plans with Esme, her aunt, and Tuesday she had too much homework. Wednesday I was cooking dinner for Charlie, and Friday was technically the weekend, so Alice put her foot down at Thursday. She'd told me we were going to Port Angeles, because it was the only reasonable place to go shopping within 'fifty or so miles,' as she'd put it.

Rosalie was going, too, and the thought made me slightly uncomfortable. I wasn't afraid of Rosalie in the slightest, and I could tell by her reactions to me that this irritated her to no end. I relished the idea that I could make her uncomfortable. I didn't, however, enjoy being glared at constantly and scrutinized and hated for no reason at all. I had done nothing to her, and while I was quickly understanding that she was just a bitch in general, I was getting fed up with her prissy, over the top, queen-of-the-bitchdom attitude.

Edward wasn't in Bio again on Thursday. I rolled my eyes at his empty seat, hoping that he was sitting in a corner somewhere, having wicked fantasies about me. I looked hot today, too. My shirt was sheer, but it only hinted at what color bra I was wearing. I saw him steal a peak at me in the morning, and I for sure saw Emmett staring. Eric Yorkie had looked for a little too long in math, causing Emmett to threaten him with a meatball sandwich-in which Eric would be providing the meatballs. I adored Emmett more everyday.

When school ended, we all met in the parking lot. Not to anyone's surprise, Edward's car was gone. Alice shook her head and frowned at his parking space, absently kicking a rock.

"Okay, ladies, you play nice and have a good trip," Emmett joked, smiling and looking pointedly at Rosalie. She glared at him, shoving him off of her. "Babe, come on..." She walked over the driver's side and got in, Emmett rambling on about how he was just kidding about playing nice.

I had learned to tune him out during moments like these, because his blatant worship of her had annoyed me from the first day I met her. I often wondered if she were different when the two of them were alone, but I never asked him. There had been plenty of days when I'd seen him smirking smugly, clearly an indication that he was getting some on the regular. It was also possible that she'd always treated him like shit, and did so no matter where they were.

A third, less comforting possibility crept into the edge of my thoughts as well-what if she'd only started treating him this way because of me? I refused to be the reason Emmett was unhappy. If Rosalie continued to be such an asshole to him, I might have to take him for myself. I'd lick his wounds; I'd lick any part of him that he'd let me. Regardless of my past, I'd happily clean up whatever mess she made of him, and fuck anyone who judged me for it. Emmett was far too good to be suffering over Super Bitch Barbie.

Jasper pulled Alice close and kissed her as he said goodbye. When she began to pull away, he licked her lips much like he had done with her lip gloss. She giggled and slapped at him playfully, and I couldn't help but smile. They were so good together. So very different, but so much alike. They were so in tune with each other, but in a beautiful way. It kinda made me wishI wanted gag sometimes.

We got into Rosalie's car, and I couldn't help but notice her glaring at me from her rearview. I rolled my eyes. I was seriously getting fed up with her shit. As if it wasn't enough that Edward was avoiding me for no apparent fucking reason, I had this bitch constantly trying to stare me down. Alice acted oblivious to the whole thing, bouncing with excitement and chatting with both Rosalie and myself.

The entire car ride to Port Angeles was tense, and Alice was like the child delivering messages back and forth between mommy and daddy. Rosalie could be mommy. I'd happily have her as my ex-wife. I'd pay the alimony that'd supply her new tits when she tired of the ones she'd been born with, and I'd tap it with a vengeful pity fuck when she couldn't find a new man. I smirked as my train of thought got steadily more outrageous, blanching when Rosalie 'accidentally' swerved for no fucking reason, causing me to bang into the side of the vehicle.

"Cool your shit, mommy!" I yelled as I tried to right myself. Her face crossed between confusion and disgust, and Alice glared at her. Alice. Alice actuallyglared. I felt my eyes go wide.

"Never thought I'd see the day," I muttered when I'd finally settled in my seat again.

When we finally reached a densely shop-populated area, Rosalie quickly found a parking space, flipping off the man who yelled that he'd found it first and blared his horn at her. I had to admit, the broad had class. I liked her style sometimes.

I stretched as I got out of the vehicle. My legs were sore from the ride over, but I was certain my feet would be killing me by the end of the night. Something told me this was a full contact sport for Alice. She began rattling off the places she wanted to go, and I tried to block out this odd vision of her with a beret and those wands that generals smack at maps as they plot their campaign against foreign enemies.

When we entered the first shop-a clothing store with it's name written in fancy script-I felt completely out of my element. I knew I wouldn't have the funding to get anything here. Rosalie and Alice immediately split up, the former heading to the shoe section, the latter marching straight up the sales associate and tapping her on the shoulder. Alice demanded to know where all the petite clothes had gone, and the poor woman looked terrified. Alice tapped her foot twice before huffing and yelling at Rosalie.

"Rose, we're leaving!" Rosalie rolled her eyes, setting down a pair of kitten heels that she'd been eyeing. Alice blurred past me, grabbing my arm and wheeling me towards the door. I threw Rosalie a confused glance, and she replied with a slightly irritated shrug.

The next few shops went smoother. Alice and Rosalie each had several bags by the time we reached store number five, and Alice was constantly trying to buy me things I didn't need. As much as I appreciated her enthusiasm, I didn't wantall of the things she was trying to gift me with.

Store number five was a lingerie shop. It had a plain store front, and I noticed no sign signaling what it was. It was really quaint, and I noticed both of the other girls' eyes glittering as we entered. It was only upon entering that I realized it specialized in lingerie. There were no racks, just shelves and chicly dressed mannequins that had no faces.

"Alice Brandon, you darling girl, come here!" I looked up to find the source of the voice-which had a touch of a foreign accent that I couldn't pin-and felt my jaw drop slightly. A gorgeous man of no more than twenty five stood before us, hugging Alice tightly and spinning her around. He had olive skin and dark brown eyes, and silky black hair that fell in curls around his eyes. His shoulders were broad, and it was very clear that the body housed within his tailored suit was probably well cut.

"Laurent!" Alice squealed as he whirled her around. She giggled when he set her down, and he smiled graciously at Rosalie, who returned his smile with her own. "Laurent, this is Bella," Alice gushed excitedly.

He raised an eyebrow and eyed me critically. I found myself blushing slightly under his scrutiny, but remained unmoved. He held out a hand to me, and I took it, accepting whatever sort of test this was going to be. His eyes roamed my body in a careful way, taking in every inch of me the way only a lover should. I held my chin high, and he reached our joined hands above my head to spin me. I moved uncomfortably on me feet, trying to figure out what was going on. Alice watched with excitement, and to my extreme surprise-not-Rosalie looked bored.

Finally, he released my hand. He looked deeply into my eyes for a moment before turning dramatically to Alice and snapping his fingers.

"Leah! 32 mid C, 24, 33!" He winked at me when my eyes when wide, then turned on his heel and disappeared behind an ornate purple curtain.

I gaped at Alice. What the fuck just happened?

She, in turn, looked simultaneously please and perplexed. "Bella, why didn't you tell me you had an odd bra size?" she frowned. "We should've come here first!"

Okay, now I was completely confused. What did my odd bra size have to do with anything? I mean, sure, it was hard to find a bra that fit perfectly, but considering the fact that I was still a growing girl (though I hopefully wouldn't be growing anymore), I thought it was normal enough.

Before I could say any of this to Alice, however, the beautiful man known as Laurent had returned. He had a pretty, dark skinned girl in tow, and I assumed she was Leah. Both of their arms were overflowing with lingerie of varying shades, though I noticed a lot of blues in them.

He leaned into me, smiling knowingly, and holding out a silky, lacy bra. "Darling, midnight blue isyour color." He tutted when I didn't take the garment right away, and Alice stepped forward, putting a reassuring hand on my back.

"I don't think Bella's ever owned lingerie before, much less custom lingerie, Laurent," she chirped. Her voice wasn't unkind, but it was filled with a certain pity. Because, you know, every sixteen year old girl just hasto own some skanky silk shit. I was slightly offended, though. I'd owned lingerie... sort of. Pretty lacy bras from Burlington's counted, right?

Laurent's eyes widened at Alice's statement, then he frowned at me and shook his head with a much more obvious pity.

"Bella, my dear, it's time we changed that. Every woman should have a piece fitted exactly to her, even if it's just one." He winked at me, and I realized I still hadn't spoken. Rosalie stepped forward then, linking her arm with Laurent's and sending me a shrewd smile.

"I don't think Bellaquite has the class," she purred out at him. He raised a brow at her.

"Me-ow," he began playfully. "Rosalie, we would've hated each other if we went to the same high school, I am most certain." They laughed this and he handed off the bra to Alice, who gathered up the rest of the under things from Leah. She shoved me behind the curtain that Laurent had previously disappeared behind, steering me into an elegant and simply designed dressing area.

The room was curtained with a billowing white fabric that I couldn't recognize, but I was certain it was expensive. Candles graced tall, silver holders haphazardly around the room, casting a soft, pleasant glow. Alice set everything down before turning to me and pulling my shirt up. When I didn't lift my arms to help her, she sighed.

"Laurent is the best, Bella. You have to trust me. You may spend your every day in underwear, but these," she waved a hand towards the pile of panties and things, "are art. Now I know you don't technically have someone in your life to share these with, but believe me when I say that these will do wonders for the time that you spend with yourself."

I couldn't help it. I laughed in spite of how bizarre the situation had been, and finally relented. I allowed Alice to pull my shirt off, but shoved her hands away when she went for my jeans.

"Don't worry, Alice, I'll model everything," I laughed as I pushed her out of the billowing white changing area.

I could hear her tapping her foot outside as I poured over the items in front of me. I felt a thrill as I touched the various materials-silk, lace, satin. Thongs, g-strings, bras, corsets, high-waisted briefs, garter belts-even a teddy-stared back at me. I could never afford any of this, I was positive, but the idea of feeling something so smooth against my skin wasalluring.

The thought of Edward viewing me in one of this pieces was equally alluring.

I shoved the thought from my mind as I slipped my jeans off and undressed. I extracted a midnight blue shelf bra and dug out a pair of high waisted bloomers with garter belts attached. I carefully slid myself into the delicate pieces of silk.

I felt my jaw drop when I turned to look into the full length mirror.

The... woman... staring back at me was... stunning. I'd never used that word to describe myself. Hot, fierce, sexy. These were adjectives I liked. For the first time in my life, I looked-felt-beautiful.

"Alice," I breathed out. Her tiny head popped into the curtain immediately, and a sly grin overtook her face.

Her eyes sparkled and her voice matched. "Bella, you look incredible." She nodded her head in complete approval, a glimmer of 'I told you so' shining in her eyes. I merely nodded, still struggling with the fact that it was me who looked this good.

"Alice," I began slowly. "I can't afford any of this stuff..." I met her gaze in the mirror, and confusion clouded her features. I turned to face her, and she moved the rest of her body into the dressing room.

"Bella, Laurent is family. This is all going to be comped, of course."

I felt my eyes go wide, and she chuckled. "He's Carlisle's nephew... sort of. Well, he was married to one of his nieces briefly before he came out." Her eyes sparkled again as she giggled, and I felt myself responding in kind. "So, in a sense, he's my cousin. We've got the fashion thing in common, and he's been dressing and designing for Auntie Esme for years, so, naturally, I come to him for all my major needs. Of course, he specializes in lingerie specifically, because he understands a woman's need to feel sexy." She ran her hands down my sides as she said this, stopping to tug lightly on the straps of the garter belt.

"Besides, do you honestly think I'd let you leave without this? Shit, girl, you look ridiculous. I can just imagine the look on Edward's face when you model this forhim..."

I snorted. She glared up at me, but mischief was playing in her eyes.

"Oh, please. Like you don't want to." She had me there. Fuck yes I wanted to. If I made my own jaw drop in this getup, I could only imagine what would happen to him, regardless of his current treatment of me. I frowned at myself in the mirror. I'd have to ask Alice about that at some point. Now wasn't the time, as I was certain Rosalie and Laurent would be able to hear us. I wanted whatever was said between myself and Alice to be private.

She began rifling through the rest of the lingerie, picking out the pieces she found suitable and discarding the rest in a pile on the floor. She paused momentarily at the teddy, and I shook my head curtly at her. She grinned and held onto it anyway, sticking her tiny tongue out at me when I rolled my eyes.

"You can wear that out if you like," she chimed, nodding at my scantily clad form. I raised an eyebrow, and she laughed that tinkling laugh of hers. "Of course, you might attract a bit of attention, but, you know, every girl needs a good ogling every now and then."

Forty minutes later, after Laurent had taken down my exact measurements for later creations and promised me a wicked dress for the prom, the lingerie Alice had chosen for me (along with several more pieces Laurent insisted I had, as well as things Rosalie and Alice had picked for themselves) was being wrapped carefully in delicate tissue paper and boxed before being placed into simple and elegant black bags. When I'd attempted to thank Laurent for his kindness, he merely waved me off and made me promise to return before prom. I agreed with a smile, and he handed me a plain, glossy black business card. It read, in elegant silver script, his first name and then a phone number.

"That's my business cell, darling, if ever you should have any apparel needs. It's a direct line, and once I know your number, I'll always answer. You're a part of the family now, clearly." He winked and smirked with his last statement, and I caught Rosalie glowering at me. Alice, however, looked thrilled. She opened her arms wide and she and Laurent gently hugged and pecked each other on both cheeks before a torrent of French words began spilling out of both of them.

As we left, I was still a little unclear as to what the fuck had just happened, but the weight of my shopping bags gave me an ironically light feeling. I was pleased with the idea that I'd be able to share all of my naughty new presents with him at some point, because fuck, I was going to, and I didn't give a shitwhat Edward Cullen's deal was; I was going to have him eventually.

Alice walked between Rosalie and I, linking her arms with each of ours. As we trekked back to the car, I noticed a book store that looked intriguing, so I told the girls I'd meet up with them at the restaurant. I took my bags with me-neither of them had enough arms to carry my bags, too, and I honestly don't think Rosalie would've offered anyway.

I was disappointed in the little bookshop. It had a bunch of bullshit new age books about voodoo and witch craft-hocus pocus garbage. I was down with Gaia and Pagan rituals, but some of this crap was just ridiculous. The owner was a riot, though. He wore this sickly green muumuu thing and a scarf was wrapped around his head. I was pretty sure he was barefoot, because the place stunk of patchouli and feet. To each his own, I guess.

It had gotten dark shortly before we'd entered Laurent's, but I hadn't thought anything of it. As I left the bookshop, though, the unfamiliarity coupled with the darkness made me slightly uncomfortable. I realized that I couldn't remember where Alice had said we were eating, and as I turned on my heel to ask Voodoo Pagan patchouli guy where the most decadent restaurant in town was, I found his lights were all ready off.

I considered banging on his door, but I figured I could just wing it and search the place out on my own. I had been a girl scout once; I knew how to navigate.

As I walked up the street, I realized how... empty the town seemed. Perhaps it was just the part we were in, but it was really deserted. I was certain part of it was also because it was dinner time, on a Thursday. Most shops probably closed fairly early on weeknights, I reasoned.

I'd passed several darkened shops before I started to get uncomfortable again. I glanced behind me but didn't see anyone there, but I sped my pace up a little anyway. I was in a strange place; I had a right to be a little paranoid.

I wandered up the shop streets, still not finding the restaurant. I'd forgotten my phone in Rosalie's car, too, so that was a bust. Alice was probably buzzing with worry at this point. I'd seriously have to find a way to thank her for all the free shit I'd gotten today. I'd have to thank her again once it got me laid. This girl was going to be in for a major present. But what to get the pixie who clearly has everything she needs? And can obviously buy for herself what she wants?

A snapping noise and a low whistle broke my train of though, and I spun on instinct to face the root of the noise. I was immediately sorry I reacted. Three tall guys with big muscles-no, seriously huge-and not in an attractive way-were leering at me. I put on my best game face since there was no way I could just turn around and walk away.

"Can I help you, gentlemen?"

They chortled at me. Fuck. The closest guy, who had a pornstache and serial killer eyes, stepped forward and held out a hand to me. "Of course you can. What's in your bags pretty thing? Need help carryin' em?"

I fought the urge to grimace at his bad hair and cheesy line. "No, I'm quite all right, thanks." I was a big girl. They didn't need to know my real age. If they did, they'd probably like me more, and that was the last thing I needed.

"Aw, c'mon sugar," sneered the guy on the right. He would've been good looking in a classical sense if he weren't giving off perv vibes. I began mentally preparing myself for whatever was going to happen next. I tried to breathe, to calm myself enough to take mental snap shots of their faces. I'd seen Law and Order: SVU. I wasn't an idiot. Bad lines and dirty faces in dark alleys plus young girls equals disaster.

"No, really. I'm fantastic. I'm meeting my boyfriend, actually. He'll carry this shit for me." I gave them an award winning smile, aware of their roaming eyes and callous sneers. Shit. I was in so much trouble in this moment. I tried to remember the self-defense I'd learned in PE back in Phoenix, but Justin's fucking head kept coming into view. As pretty as he was, he couldn't help me right now.

"Heh, boyfriend." This was the one on the left. 'Doofus' pretty much summed him up. "Baby, your boyfriend can wait."

I laughed, trying to keep my nerves from entering my voice. I started backing up slowly, finally realizing that I'd had yet to move. "No, no," I said politely. The anxious edge was creeping into my voice, and the middle guy smirked at it. He knew. He knew how old I was, he knew there was no boyfriend, he knew I was lost. He fucking knew it all. Shit. Shit. Shit.

My voice came out softer this time. "Really, I'd better get to him." My nerves were really getting to me now.

"Baby, your boyfriend can fucking wait." Middle guy lunged forward and he yanked one of the bags from me. He tossed it at guy on the right, stepping closer to me and reaching out to touch me. I froze. Everything I'd ever seen on TV, every defense mechanism I had, every instinct to flee-I lost it all. Fear completely dominated everything that I was, and I knew I was going to die.

Just my luck, it'd be in a fucking tiny town and it'd be these three dirtbags and I'd have my expensive-yet-free lingerie strewn about my naked and bruised body. Charlie would be thrilled.

Guy on the right ripped open one of the boxes within the bag, tossing tissue paper to the ground as he found the teddy. I fucking knew I shouldn't have let Alice grab it. He held it up, a menacing grin sliding across all of their faces in unison. Yeah, I was going to fucking die tonight.

"Sugar, you buy that just for me?" Middle guy crooned at me. He slid a dirty finger down my cheek, and I sneered at him on reflex. I closed my eyes as he brought his face closer to mine, and the rank smell of cheap whiskey infiltrated my nostrils. "You shouldn't have."

I tried not to gag. I tried not to pass out. I kept my eyes clenched shut when I felt a strong arm wrap around my waist and pull me close. I was fucking terrified, I couldn't move, and therefore, I was going to die.

Fuck.

A/N: Small cliffy. Sorry ducks. Don't worry-next chapter is nearly complete. On the bright side, we learned a couple of important things, and Bella and Alice finally got some bonding in--yay!

Now, the reason for the wait? I couldn't work this chapter out in a way that satisfied me. I'm hoping you dig it for what it is, if nothing else-filler and lady-bondage time. And not, you know, thatkind of bondage. That's being saved for another story ;)

Thoughts, comments, questions?