AN: Thanks for the positive response so far guys :) As always, I don't claim to own anything.
Its five minutes to seven the next evening, and I'm stood in front of my bathroom mirror. The pain is still there, of course it is. But its more like an irritation now. Walking around seems to have helped it go away slightly.
I asked Jessica and Angela around to help me get ready, assuming that they'd be more clued up about what to wear for a party that I would be. Jessica was ecstatic, of course. She came round straight away, with two large bags. In one was roughly half her wardrobe. We spent two whole hours just selecting the right outfit.
I was reluctant to wear it, and I still cringe every time I see myself full length. I'm wearing a red silk blouse, and a black mini skirt that I can't sit down in without exposing quite a lot of my thighs. Jess tried to force me into a pair of heels, but after seeing me stumble around my room in them, she decided a pair of black sandals would be best instead.
Angela was the one who fixed my hair. It falls down my back in loose curls, and I suppose that it does look nice. But I think my make up needs toning down a bit. After the two of them had left, I hastily tried scrubbing some of it off.
At exactly seven o'clock, there was a knock at the door, and I had to stop myself from running into my room and crawling under my bed. I heard Charlie answer it, and Jacob's deep voice. Taking a deep breath, I snatched my purse from the counter and made my way downstairs.
"Hi." I squeaked when I reached the bottom step.
Charlie turned around to inspect me, and Jacob looked up. "Wow, Bella. You look great." He said, his eyes a little wide. I was shocked to see that he had grown a lot taller since I had last seem him. His baby face was filling out a bit more.
I smiled shyly. "Let me take a picture of you kids." Charlie said, rushing off to find his camera. I groaned in embarrassment.
"He isn't used to this sort of thing with me, I guess it is a moment that deserves a picture." I rolled my eyes.
I stepped down and took my place next to Jacob. I felt like a midget compared to him. Charlie came back and ordered us to pose. Jacob flashed his white teeth, which were a stark contrast against his dark skin, and slipped his arm around my waist. I smiled too, but I didn't feel happy at all. The smile felt more like a grimace. I knew that my eyes would look dead.
Charlie took the picture, and dug around in his pocket. "Here, just in case." He said to me, passing over a ten dollar bill.
I thanked him and put it in my pocket. We said goodnight, then Jacob lead me outside. Drizzle was falling lightly around us, and a moonlit mist was gathering around our feet. I shivered and wished that Jessica had provided me with a jacket. Jacob's car was waiting outside, and he opened the passenger door for me before going around to get in himself. He cranked the engine, and it ran smoothly.
"You really made this yourself?" I said, looking around in amazement.
"Yep. Completely from scratch." Jacob replied proudly.
I nodded in approval. "Where is this party, anyway?" I asked.
"Well, I don't really know him that well, its Embry's-" Jacob stopped, "Hey, are you alright?" He asked all of a sudden.
"I'm... fine. Why do you ask?" I enquired, trying to see something wrong with myself.
"You're holding yourself pretty tightly. I'm pretty sure you won't fall apart, you know" Jacob joked lightly.
I laughed awkwardly, but didn't ease my grip. It felt like I would fall apart if I let go. I turned away from Jacob and stared out of the window instead. Tactfully, he turned on the radio and we drove the rest of the way in silence.