A/N: My Chapter.

Alice crossed the room and set the books and tea on a small table next to the bed. As I watched her I noticed she was already dressed for the party.

Her short dark hair was styled into smooth pin curls around her angelic face. She wore a delicate strand of pearls around her neck. Her dress was a breathtaking iridescent white. Small cap sleeves topped her fragile shoulders while the bodice hugged her tiny waist. The dress' long train flowed down her lithe body like a shimmering silver waterfall.

"Alice," I breathed, "You look fantastic."

"Oh, it's nothing," she insisted, waving her hand dismissively. She then took a few steps back to examine me in my new attire.

"Spin," she commanded.

I obediently turned my body in a slow 360 degree motion.

Alice smiled appreciatively. "That shade of blue is very flattering on you... I really must give Edward more credit. For someone so entirely clueless about women, he can certainly pick out a pretty dress."

The mention of Edward's name caused a surge of resentment to flare in my chest. I didn't want to offend Alice, however, so I bit my tongue. "Indeed."

Alice's face fell. "What's wrong? Don't you like it?"

I felt a sharp stab at my heart. I hated seeing that look of disappointment on Alice's face. Even more, I hated knowing that I was the cause of it. "It's not that," I lied. "I've just never worn anything like this before." I gripped the sides of the skirt and swished it around my legs. "Yards of fabric, but I still feel naked."

Alice laughed. "This is actually quite modest, for an evening gown."

"Modest?" I repeated.

She laughed again.

"Here," she said, taking my hand and guiding me toward a large gilded mirror in the corner of the room, "Take a look."

I looked, and was startled by what I saw. The dress was indeed revealing, but not distasteful as I had thought. The neckline was cut low and off the shoulder, elongating my neck and accentuating my bust. The bodice fit tightly around my torso and then flared at my waist into a cascade of deep blue silk that fell gracefully to the floor.

"You see?" Alice said, placing a hand on my back, "You look lovely."

I looked down to my feet, embarrassed. "Thank you, Alice," I murmured.

Suddenly, I felt Alice's hands slide to the middle of my back and pull roughly at the sides of my dress. I jumped, startled.

"What are you doing!?" I demanded, completely alarmed.

"Tightening your bodice," she replied simply, yanking harshly on the strings at my back.

"I can hardly breathe," I gasped.

"Take short, shallow breaths," she instructed. "It will help."

I held my breath while Alice continued her ministrations. I felt one final firm tug at the bottom of my back before she placed her hands on my waist and spun me around to face her. I placed my hands over my stomach and grimaced when I tried to inhale.

"That looks so much better," she remarked, appraising my newly constricted form. "And the bodice will help you stand up straighter." She clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "Your posture is terrible."

I rolled my eyes.

"Now," she said, placing her hands on my shoulders, "Shoulders back, chin up." I followed her instructions, ignoring the painful ache in my back. It almost seemed laughable now that I had once complained about the hardships of field work. Fashion was the truer torture. I chanced another shallow breath, and an excruciating pain shot through my ribs. Anxious for a distraction, my eyes flickered to the bedside table and I remembered the forgotten tea and books. My eyes lingered on the aged leather volumes.

"I already know how to read, Alice," I drawled sarcastically.

"They're not for reading," she snipped back. "They're for walking."

I looked back and forth several times between Alice and the books before I finally understood.

"Alice, you cannot be serious."

"Bella," she chastised. "I have a limited amount of time and resources to transform you into a lady. Work with me here."

I groaned as Alice grabbed a book from the table and balanced it delicately atop my head. "Now," she instructed, "Try to walk in a straight line."

I moved forward and the book wobbled dangerously atop my head. I caught it reflexively before it fell to the floor. I exhaled deeply, closing my eyes. If I was going to get through this, I would have to focus. Determined, I replaced the volume on top of my head, made sure it was properly balanced, and took one careful step forward. The book stayed in place and I sighed, relieved. Keeping my chin held securely in place I took one more tentative step, another, and then another. Before I knew it, I had crossed successfully to the other side of the room.

Alice clapped enthusiastically, bouncing in her chair. "Again!" she squealed, obviously delighted by my progress. After I had completed several more successful trips across the room we moved on to the next item on Alice's list.

"It's very important to curtsy when you greet someone," she instructed. "Like this…" She lifted her skirt from the floor, crossed one ankle behind the other, bowed her head, and gracefully bent her legs at the knee. I mimicked her actions, but mine were much clumsier than Alice's had been. I shrugged, hopeless. Alice sighed. "It'll do," she said.

We moved on to tea etiquette next - my least favorite of our lessons. The fragile china cup trembled in my hand as I raised it carefully to my lips. I grimaced when I took a sip. The tea was not only very cold, but also tasted disgusting. I resisted the urge to spit it back out and forced myself to swallow it.

Next, Alice advised me on the art of conversation. According to her instructions, there wasn't very much comprehended the idea. "Just nod your head and try to look interested," she told me. "Engage in the conversation, but don't say too much – nothing scares a man more than a woman with a brain." I snorted.

Finally, we moved on to dancing. It was impossible not to feel ridiculous as Alice led me around the room with her hand on my waist. I concentrated on moving my feet in loose square patterns - 1, 2, 3…1, 2, 3…1, 2, 3. A loud noise sounded from downstairs, causing me to lose concentration and misplace my footing. I yelped when Alice accidentally stepped on my toe.

"Why do I have to learn dancing, anyway?" I grumbled. "No one is going to want to dance with me." A strange expression crossed Alice's face. "You'll dance with Edward, of course," she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. I felt a hot flush creep up my neck. The idea of being forced to touch Edward made me feel angry… and nervous. Alice stared at me for a long moment, analyzing my face. I could tell she wanted to know what I was thinking. She didn't push the subject, however, and brought our attention back to dancing.

As the sun began to set outside, my education was at last complete. "Well," Alice sighed, "I've taught you everything I know. There's only one more thing you'll need." She pulled a small velvet box from the pocket of her dress and handed it to me wordlessly.

I flipped the box open, and found a pair of sparkling sapphire teardrop earrings and a larger matching pendant. The precious gemstones in the middle were surrounded by dozens of brilliant, round white diamonds.

I gasped, astonished.

Alice smiled. "They were my mother's. I thought you might like to borrow them for the party tonight,"

"Alice--" I choked. I was hardly capable of words. Before I could contain my emotion, large wets tears started streaming down my face.

"Bella!?" Alice squeaked, alarmed. "What's wrong? Don't you like them?"

"They're… so… b-beautiful," I blubbered.

Alice embraced me, wrapping her tiny arms around my waist. I sobbed shamelessly into her shoulder. "There, there," she soothed me, rubbing her hands up and down my back. After I had composed myself, I lifted my head and wiped at my face with the back of my hands.

"There now," Alice said, handing me a handkerchief. "No more crying; you'll ruin your new face!" I choked out a laugh. Alice took the sapphire earrings and clipped them gently onto my earlobes; I felt them sag slightly from the weight of the heavy gems. Then she took the pendant, placed it around my neck and clasped it from behind. "Perfect," she said, examining her final creation. "Now you're ready for a party."

"I wish I felt ready," I mumbled.

"Don't worry," Alice assured me, linking our arms together. "I'll be with you."

"Thank you, Alice," I said with as much sincerity as I could muster, "for everything."

Alice smiled warmly. "It's time," she said, tugging me toward the door. "The guests will be arriving soon."

I forced myself to take a deep, calming breath. Tightening my grip on Alice's arm, we exited the room and descended the stairs together.

A/N: I really love writing Alice and Bella together, especially in this context.

I know my chapters are a little short, but I hope you still enjoy them.

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