Chapter 3: Party
Final exams went as well as could be expected. Graduation was good too. Alice finally talked to me, given she didn't apologize, but I'm over it. I could hear Charlie and Billy cheering, when both Jake and mine name was called. I didn't totally embarrass myself on the stage, only a little stumble, but I caught myself before any damages were caused. I did, however, hear Edward's beautiful laugh. He obviously saw my little mishap. I was going over Alice's house right after I said goodbye to Charlie. I was wearing a dark pair of jeans, and a midnight blue shirt Alice bought me a while back, under my gown. "Dad, I'm just spending the night over Alice's, I will be home tomorrow." I said, as I got into my truck. "Alright Bells, have fun." Charlie smiled, and gave me an awkward one arm hug.
I took my time driving to Alice's, no need to rush this. I had to park on the street, because the driveway was packed with cars. Some I recognized, others didn't look familiar. "Bella, it took you long enough." Alice said, as I walked inside. "Yeah, seriously, you are the last one here." Rose agreed. I shrugged. "Bella!" Emmett yelled, coming down the stairs. "Hey, Teddy." I said. "What's up? You ready to jam out on karaoke?" Emmett smiled. "Aren't I always." I said sarcastically. "Aw, don't be like that. You and I are going to do a duet. It will be great." Emmett said, putting an arm over my shoulder. "We will see about that." I laughed. "Well, well, look at what we have here." Edward said, looked in at me. "Hey, remember our deal, you cant make fun of me all night." I said, smugly. He looked at me. "Damn." Edward muttered, then walked into the kitchen.
"Alice, honey, I am ordering pizza, what kind-oh, hello Bella." Esme said, walking in from the kitchen. "Hey, Esme, how are you?" I asked. "I'm good, except I think my blood pressure is sky rocketing with all these teens in here." Esme said, waving her hands around, showing at least four hundred teenagers. "Yeah, well, if you need any help, just let me know." I said. "Thanks, Bella, but this is a party you should be having fun." Esme said in her mother tone. "Yeah, fun." I mumbled. She smiled at me. "Anyway, pizza what kinds and how many?" She asked Alice. Her and Rose started talking it over. "I would just stick with cheese, and pepperoni." I said. Rose and Alice looked at me. "What? You guys were taking so damn long." I shrugged. Esme laughed. "Alice, how many?" She asked. Alice scowled at me. I stuck my tongue out at her, and went to get a drink.
They had every soda imaginable. Coke, Pepsi, ginger ale, root beer, etc. I poured a cup to the brim with root beer. I walked outside to the back yard. I saw Angela Weber dancing with Ben Cheney, and Jessica Stanley dancing with Mike Newton. I laughed, and sat at an empty table. "Hey, Bells, having fun yet?" Jake asked, sitting next to me. "Oh, yeah, a blast." I said. He laughed. "So, uh, I was wondering, uh, if-" He began. "Bella! Get your ass in here. We need you." Alice cut him off. I sighed. "Sorry, Jake, duty calls. I will talk to you later." I said, getting up. "Yeah, later." He mumbled. "What's up, Alice?" I asked. Her and Rose were in the kitchen sitting at the breakfast bar. "Nothing much." She shrugged. "Then why did you need my ass in here?" I asked. "Oh, right, that. We were saving you." Alice said. "From?" I asked, leaning onto the counter. "Jacob. Do you know what people say about him?" Rose said. "Um, no. should I?" I said. "Obviously, people practically scream it." Rose said. "Scream it? What is it? What are you guys talking about?" I asked, exasperated.
"That he is a man whore. All he wants is one thing, and one thing only." Alice said, like I was an idiot. "Jake? Are we talking about the same Jacob Black that gave me valentines day cards for two years, and made me a deformed cake for my birthday ever since I have been here. That Jake?" I asked. I honestly don't believe them. "Yup, that's the one. Bella, we are just looking out for you, that's all." Alice said. "Thanks, guys. But I don't need being looked after. I also don't believe everything I hear." I said. "We were just trying to help." Rose said, then she grabbed Alice's hand and walked out. When will people learn I can take care of myself? I walked into the living, and sat on the couch. Only to be joined by Jake. "Is it later yet?" He asked, sitting down. "Yeah, I guess it is." I said. "Good. Cause I really need to ask you something." He said. "Okay, shoot." I replied. "Well, Bella, I was wondering, if maybe you wanted to go out on a date…with me?" Jake asked, staring at me. "Oh, Jake, look, I like you I do, but as a friend, nothing more." I said. Sadness crossed his face. "Oh, it's okay. I would rather have you as a friend then not have you." Jake said. I saw Esme bringing in the pizza, I decided to get a slice before the whole crowd came. "I will be right back." I told Jake, he nodded, and I walked to the kitchen.
I took a slice, and sat down at the dining room table. Nobody else knew the pizza was here, so I was alone. I rested my head on the table, but a smooth voice interrupted my peace of mind. "Rough night?" He asked. I looked up, and saw Edward leaning against the doorway. "You have no idea." I said. He looked at me curiously, waiting for me to explain further. "To start off, Alice and Rose are acting weird around me, and second, I just had to break up with a guy I wasn't even dating." I said. Edward's eye brows knitted together, and he sat down across from me.
Edward POV
I hate how Bella remembered our deal. But on the other hand, I am really glad she decided to come. The party would have been lame without her. I haven't seen her since she got here. I wonder where she has gone to. I was walking down the hall to the living room when I heard someone talk. "Good. Cause I really need to ask you something." I recognized the voice to be Jacob Black. The same person who have been Bella's shadow ever since she moved here. "Okay, shoot." Bella said. What are they talking about? I took a step closer to hear better. "Well, Bella, I was wondering, if maybe you wanted to go out on a date…with me?" Jake said, hesitantly. I took another step forward, still out of sight. I desperately needed to hear Bella's answer. "Oh, Jake-" That was all I heard, because Emmett appeared. "Hey, I need your help setting up some more tables outside." He said. I sighed, and followed him.
I was walking back inside when I heard Rose and Alice talking. "Is it just me, or does Bella seem to be acting weird lately?" Alice asked. "Yeah, she is acting weird." Rose agreed. "There are two times a year where there is a noticeable difference in Bella." Alice said. Rose looked at her curiously. "What do you mean?" She asked. "She's always different mid May, and beginning of September. You have never noticed that?" Alice pointed out. "No, Alice, only you would know that." Rose laughed. I sighed. The only thing that made sense in that conversation was the word Bella. I heard Esme's car pull into the driveway, which means if I didn't hurry the pizza would most likely be gone. I walked through the house, bumping into everything humanly possible, but I finally made it to the kitchen. There was already a cheese box opened with one slice missing. I grabbed one, put it on a plate, and walked to the dining room.
I saw Bella with her head on the table. She looked like she was asleep. "Rough night?" I asked. She looked up at me. "You have no idea." Bella said. I looked at her, trying to figure out what she meant. "To start off, Alice and Rose are acting weird around me, and second, I just had to break up with a guy I wasn't even dating." She explained. I looked at her, it felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders knowing she said no to Jake. I set my plate down and sat across from her. "Looks like great minds think alike." I smiled. "What?" She asked. "We both got pizza before the vultures attacked." I said, pointing to her plate. She smiled. "Huh, I guess we do." She said. She began eating her pizza and absentmindedly looking around the room. I didn't know what to say. I was trying to think of an way to bring up what I overheard Alice and Rose talking about, but I couldn't. how do you asked something like that? I took a breath.
"Bella, I-" I began but Emmett cut me off. "Let's go you two, it is time for karaoke. Move it, move it." He said, walking into the dining room, with Alice, Rose, and Jasper following him. Bella's eyes flickered to mine. "Do I have to?" She asked. "Yes." Alice said, not looking at her. "If Edward's going, then I will go too. I need someone to make fun of." Bella said, smiling. "I guess I am in for an eventful night." I said, putting my hand out for her take. She looked at it like it had cooties. She took a breath, and grabbed my hand.