How To Become A Girl

Chapter Nine

Yesterday was tiring. Laurent came over to the boutique and looked at us. He did the shopping and all. Alice wanted us to be surprised and she trusted Laurent on that. I hope he doesn't go way overboard. We stayed at the boutique while waiting for Laurent. I played pretend-to-be-excited while they played Bella Barbie. I hated that game.

Laurent has been here since this morning. He was preparing our make up and dresses and stuff. Honestly? I don't know what's the big deal with this stuff. I mean, I get it. It's Jasper's parent's party but seriously? I don't think it has to be this pampered. I was the only one left behind now. I'm not yet done dressing up because I don't feel so confident about this. Tonight we will be having dinner at the Hall Grand Du Ciel. Sounds grand, I know. Like really grand. And I'm nervous. Most of the people there don't know me, that's the point. I'm not so good with introductions.

I'm standing in front of my mirror now. In my room. Alone. I was trying to absorb my reflection which I could've suggested that the girl over there was fictional. It's not that I don't look good but I feel like I didn't belong to this stuff.

Alice wore a silky royal blue dress. It was short and it puffed at the end. She was wearing silver killer heels and Rose, too. Rosalie's fell down to her knees. It was silvery with flecks of light blue. It puffed out like a kid's dress. Emmett and Jazz went pretty simple. They followed their girlfriends' colors. Both were wearing grey suits with silver neckties but Jazz went with a royal blue button down while Emmett had light blue button down.

I, on the other hand, was the single one. So no partner for tonight. And they made me wear something more complicated. Are you familiar with Helen of Troy? Yep. My dress looks like it belongs to the collection of Greek Mythology items. It was midnight blue. And the cloth was unbelievable. It's very soft and thin. You'd say it was light but it drapes on my body heavier than I would've imagined. The cloth didn't cling to my back. It collected just before my ass appears. And then my front is less scarier, thank god. It showed my cleavage (Like I even have one). And the peep show ended just below my breasts, forming a V there. My arms were bare and I felt bare. The dress is almost see through! The cloth area that held the dress together on my shoulders were bunched up using silvery ropes that fell to my back. And this dress is long. It was so long, I think there was one foot more of cloth that just collected on the floor. It was like a wrap dress that I was thankful at first because I thought it wouldn't show my legs. That means less skin. I think I have enough skin showing on my back. But I was wrong again. I discovered that every time I step forward with my right leg, almost my whole leg would be seen. It would show my leg and the deadly shoes that I dreamt of hiding. I should've never let them teach me wear shoes like this. Too late for that now, eh? The shoes were silver and tall and they were gladiator shoes (something I learned from Laurent). But the strings that wrapped around my legs were thinner than what teens usually wear nowadays. And they ended mid-calf.

I groaned as I looked at myself for the last time. Why did I let this happen? Laurent did my make up. They went with silvery black for my eyes and same normal pink shiny stuff for my lips. My eyelashes looked thicker again and longer. And my hair. Oh, my hair. I felt sorry for it. It was tied up in a complicated low pony tail. They curled it nicely and they tamed it and the let it drop on my left shoulder. I swear I saw them put silver bead-like stuff on my hair, too.

A knock came on the door. Laurent came in. "Are you ready, honey?"

"I...I don't think I can do this." I shook my head and sat on my bed.

"Of course, you can. You look beautiful. Better than Alice and Rosalie. Don't tell them I said that, though." He looked at my reflection.

I chuckled. "Do I really have to look like I'm getting married?"

"When you get married, things will be more extravagant. This is not the best that we could put you in yet. But I love it. The colors against your pale skin is perfect." He clapped.

I had an oh-no face.

He laughed. "You should feel confident. You'll break every teenage heart out there because you're simply too beautiful for them. Too good."

I chuckled again.

"Come on. Let's make your grand entrance. I'll hold your hand, I promise." He fixed some lose strands of hair and then helped me up on my feet.

Nobody have seen me yet in this. Only Laurent because he was the one who took care of me.

I fiddled with the huge ring on my left finger.

"Come on. Head up. Walk slowly." He offered his arm for me to hold and I took it.

He guided me out the door and to the top of the stairs. Arm in arm, we walked down the stairs. Slowly with light steps. We descended down the stairs. I've never done this before. Not even for prom. Hell! I didn't even attend prom. On our prom day, Jazz and Em went with their dates. I was alone at home. My dad felt sad for me in a way but when he got back, he had brought home pizza and he played some slow song. He took me in his arms and we danced the night away. I was stepped on his feet. It was funny as I remembered it so it brought a smile to my lips now.

I could see Alice almost cry with joy. Rosalie was amazed. And Jazz had a smile on his face. Em's jaws were on the floor. I'd say that's bad, given that he's holding his girlfriend.

"Woahkay. Where is my Isobello and what did you do to her?" Emmett extended his arm to Laurent as we stopped at the foot of the stairs.

"Trust me. She's there. And since you ruined our moment. I'm going to eat your muscles tonight, boy." Laurent playfully growled.

Emmett backed down and gulped. "I'm going to ready the driver." He ran out the door and left us all laughing.

"You look different, Bells. It's awesome." Jasper gave me a quick hug. "I better go after Emmett. We don't know what he might do next."

"Wow. Bella. I...I don't have words. For the first time ever. You render me speechless." Alice shook her head in amazement. "You look beautiful."

"And your damn stunning!" Rose's hands flew around to my direction. "I'd say you look more of a celebrity than I do."

"Guys! We have to go!" Jasper called out.

I turned around to face Laurent. "Thank you so much. I never would've done this without you." I hugged him and he lightly kissed me on the cheek.

"Go get 'em, beautiful." He winked.

Alice and Rose gave him thanks, too. And they held on to each of my arms as they walked me to the limousine. Seriously, I feel like some millionaire having a bad day.

During the drive, Jasper opened a bottle for champagne and I willingly downed two glasses. I need the alcohol to relax my nerves. I felt like we were from that TV Show...what did they call that? Something about gossips. Anyway, Alice and Rosalie were laughing and so was my buddies, too. The atmosphere was too light, now, and this left me worrying about later. But then Emmett mentioned how scared he is of Laurent and that made me laugh with them as well. I mean, if you saw his face a while ago. It was like scared but trying to look brave. It was hilarious.

The car stopped and, well, obviously, we've arrived at our destination. Alice took my hand as we got off the car. She was rubbing circles on it to relax me.

Hall Grand Du Ciel was definitely heaven's grand hall. The ceiling was dome-ish and had angels and clouds painted on a sky blue background. The walls were intricately designed with twirls and flowers and leafs. There was buffet on one side with the dining tables. Then there was an empty space in the middle. Probably for dancing. Dancing?! Holy sh-cow! Nobody mentioned anything about dancing!

And everybody was dressed in different shades of blue with touches of silver. Or vice versa.

We were met by Jasper's parents at gates of heaven, I assume.

"Jasper, darling!" Mrs. Whitlock kissed his cheek while Mr. Whitlock went in for a manly hug.

"Mom, Dad. Happy Anniversary." He smiled.

"I'm so glad you brought your friends!" Her mom was estatic. "Alice. Your mom's gorgeous. She arrived moments ago and it was a merry reunion."

Alice smiled and kissed her cheek. "Happy Anniversary, Mrs. Whitlock. And to you, too, Mr. Whitlock."

"Oh please! Call me Marianne." Marianne smiled. "You look adorable by the way."

"Thank you." Alice flashed a smile and hopped off. To her mom, I guess.

"I'm glad you all could come." Peter, Mr. Whitlock, shook hands with Rose and Emmett and me.

"Oh, Rosalie, dear. You look lovely." Rosalie gave her a kiss on the cheek as well before greeting them 'Happy Anniversary'.

Emmett shook hands with both of them and greeted them as well.

"Jasper. You haven't introduced us to your new friend." Marianne shook her head.

Jasper let out a short laugh. "She's not so new, Mom. You've met her. Mom this is Bella."

I flashed them a smile.

"Bella? The one with the baseball cap and the jacket?" His dad asked questioningly.

I smiled and shook his hand. "Happy Anniversary."

"Well, you've transformed into such a beautiful lady." Marianne shook her head in amazement. "I shouldn't be keeping you for dinner. I put you kids in one table. I figured that at your age, you need each others' company so badly." She pointed us to an empty table.

Wait. Grouped us kids, together? Does it mean Edward will join us in the kiddie group? Oh my god. Esme will be here.

My hand flew to my forehead and before I could walk off with my friends, the Whitlocks have moved on to greet the family that I've been dreading to see. And oh! My back was facing them. What a whole lot skin to show!

"Esme!" Mrs. Whitlock greeted her. "Welcome to Hall Grand Du Ciel!"

"Happy Anniversary to you two." Another man's voice said. It was soft, too, yet it had a tone to it that made it so different.

"Carlisle. It's great to see you." Mr. Whitlock greeted.

"This is my son, Edward." Esme said.

"Oh yes. I've met him before." Peter told them.

Oh shit. Move, Bella! Move! But I can't. I was glued here. I was too frozen to move. Where were they? Rose and everybody, I mean. I lifted my head to search for them among the crowd.

"Bella." Marianne called my name.

Damn! Damn! Damn! Fuck!

I had no other option. I had to turn around.

"Mrs. Whitlock." I smiled back. "Oh. Esme. You're here."

"You know each other?" Marianne asked Esme. I caught a glimpse of Edward. Almost like his expression when he saw me yesterday only this time, I think he was drooling. Ha! Beat that! He was wearing a grey suit and a...midnight blue button down. What the?! Damn! He was...undeniably hot. His hair was all over the place but it fit him well. And those eyes...Bella?! Snap out of it! He shaved.

"She works for me." Esme looked at me. "Wow. You look..."

"Breathtaking." Edward continued her sentence in a soft sigh.

"Truly." Esme nodded and moved to hug me. "Wow. Bella. Just wow."

Carlisle, the only other man, moved next to Esme. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Bella. Esme and Edward speaks so much about you."

Wait. Edward speaks about me?

I shook Carlisle's offered hand. It felt familiar. Fatherly.

Carlisle was good looking. Platinum blonde hair and blue eyes. Tall and professional looking.

"Carlisle, Esme. I'd like to introduce you to the rest of the people here. Leave the kids alone." Marianne said as they walked off, leaving me and Edward again.

Okay. Awkward.

I was able to move now. I started to walk towards the table where I can see Rosalie feeding Emmett.

"Wait. Bella!" He called up.

I continued walking.

He put his arm on my shoulder to stop me. Still electrifying.

I turned around and he took his hand away. I cocked an eyebrow at him.

"I just wanted to walk you to the table." He murmured.

"Well, unless you're blind. I think it's clear that I can walk myself. Thank you." I turned back around and walked.

He just followed this time. Walking next to me. Placing a hand on the bare skin of the small of my back. It was like he was burning a hole through me with that little touch.

I looked over to Rosalie and Emmett who were all so coupley and playing and giggling. Their eyes flickered between Edward and me as we arrived.

"Spots have names. I think yours is there." Rose pointed to the spot that was next to the namecard that had 'Alice' written over it.

I pulled out my chair and finally, I was out of Edward's touch. But the spot where his hand was still burned. I took my seat and a glass of champagne was brought to us. I looked to my right. Alice's spot. I looked to my left. Edward's spot?!

I groaned and shut my eyes hoping that I'd just imagined that. But he already took his place next to mine, so, I guess not.

Hell...I can just imagine how tonight would be. Slow and annoying. What a way to end the weekend!

I am in love with Bella's look here. Can you imagine her in that gorgeous blue flowy dress? :) Tell me what you think, okay?