Okay guys I have over 2000 hits! I'm so happy I'm bouncing off the walls...no I'm not. And as always my beta, BellaTonks, ROCKS! geez I sound white...oh well who gives damn...anyways..read on guys!

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Disclaimer: "You guys will love this chapter. I do! She, Reader4Lyfe, owns nothing but the plot. Enjoy!" S.M.

Chapter 7

BPOV

The week was long, but it seemed to fly by fast. Alice and Rose took me shopping to get a dress, some shoes and some jewelry. I didn't get to see the jewelry, though. September 23 was on a Wednesday, so they planned to have it the following Saturday. I was nervous about being in the spotlight. I hate being in the spotlight.

Saturday had finally arrived and the party was going to start at 10 p. m. at some club; somewhere down town. Alice told me that she rented out the whole club and everything. I covered my ears when she kept going on and on about it. Rosalie said they invited half the school, which meant half the school would be at that club on Saturday night. I had a distinct feeling that some of them wouldn't be going just to wish me a happy birthday.

I was sitting on the couch in front of the T.V. when Alice and Rose rushed into the room and pulled at my arms. They pushed me into the shower after putting expensive looking hair products into my hands; I didn't even try to read the labels. The only thing I understood was strawberry and freesia. I took a long, and I mean long, hot shower. I knew they'd pamper me when I got out and tell me that I couldn't do anything.

I wrapped my robe around myself after pulling on some under garments. As soon as I stepped out of the bathroom, they bombarded me. They sat me in a chair and got to work on my wet hair and face. I managed to catch a quick glimpse of the clock on the wall that said it was six o' clock.

Rose had blow dried my hair until it was straighter than I'd ever seen it. She told me to run my fingers through it and I did. I gasped; it was as soft as silk, maybe even softer. After a few minutes of me ogling my own hair, she slapped, yes slapped, my hand away from own hair and started curling it with a flat iron. Alice applied some eye shadow and eyeliner, again telling me that I didn't need any blush. I knew that from the day she squealed at the very mention of my birthday; I knew I'd be blushing all night long.

She painted my fingernails and my toenails to match the color of my dress. When she was done with that, she helped Rose finish my hair. There was some pocking, prodding, pulling and twisting. Three hours later, I was finished. I stood up and stretched my arms and legs out. I had become a little dizzy from sitting in the chair for so long that all the blood rushed down a little too fast; I had to steady myself on the edge of the chair.

When I got a handle on myself, I walked to the mirror in the bathroom. I almost fainted at the scene in front of me. That couldn't be me, I thought. My hair was wavy and it went all the way down my back. My hair was pinned back in the front and curled to perfection. I turned my head and saw that it sort of sparkled, like there was glitter in my hair. I smiled and ran my hand through it again. I never knew it could be this soft. My face was something else; entirely different from what it normally appears to be. My cheekbones were more defined and my eyes seemed to pop out with the shade blue eye shadow that Alice put on me.

I ran out of the bathroom and grabbed them both into a bone crushing hug I didn't even know I was capable of giving.

"Thank you, guys!" They laughed and murmured 'your welcomes'. When I let them go they smiled at me.

"Now go put your dress on. We have to be there in an hour." Rose said.

Alice handed me my dress and shoes. Rose went to the bathroom and Alice went into her closet.

I took off my robe and slipped into the dress. It was a midnight blue halter top dress with spaghetti straps. It had a thin black belt that went around the waist and tied into a bow on the front, a little to the left. It stopped at my knees and hugged my curves in all the right places. It was revealing, but not too revealing. I didn't have any bruises on my skin, they all had healed and I was grateful. Instead, my skin looked pale, but healthy.

"Alice, can you zip me up please?"

"Sure," she said as she came out of her closet. She zipped up the zipper on the back of the dress and I saw that she already had her dress on. It was black and white with a plunging neck line. It tied around her neck; it hugged her curves and brought out her grey eyes. She looked beautiful, but of course, Alice was always beautiful.

She handed me the earrings and necklace that she and Rose bought for me. It was a blue lapis earring and necklace set. The lapis hung from a lightly antiqued sterling silver chain. (A/N: pic on profile.)

"This is our birthday present to you. We weren't sure what to get you, but these seemed to fit you perfectly." She smiled.

Rose walked out of the bathroom in a red knee length dress. It was backless and the top hugged her chest and wrapped around her neck. It rumpled a little, but I guess that's how it was supposed to look. Her hair was a little wavier than mine. The bright color made her ocean blue eyes shine like stars. She was positively gorgeous. I felt insignificant again. (A/N: Pic of their dresses on profile.)

"The blue gemstones mean strength and courage," she said as she walked up to me. "That's what we see in you. Happy Birthday, Bella." I felt like crying, but I knew Alice would kill me if I messed up my makeup. I grabbed them up in another hug.

"Thank you. I don't know what else to say," I mumbled into their shoulders. They rubbed my back and then pulled back.

"You don't have to say anything. Just know that we're here for you and we love you." Rose said. I smiled the biggest smile I think I ever smiled in my life.

"I love you, guys, too."

They helped me put on my necklace and then gave me directions to the club. They had to get there early to make sure everything was in order. They wouldn't tell me who was going or anything; all I knew was that half the school was going and the party was supposed to start in a half an hour. I was to arrive fifteen minutes late just for show or something like that.

I sighed and sat down on the couch and turned on the T.V. I looked at it, though I wasn't really watching it. I wondered if Edward was going to be there. I knew the rest of them were but . . . Edward. Edward. Ever since that night he took me to that restaurant, I couldn't get him out of mind. I tried to think of other things, but that would only lead me back to him; that monster. And, I didn't want to dwell on the things that hurt me.

Edward seemed really careful with me. He would only touch me if he had to. He treated me like a piece of glass. He was careful with his words around me too. Sometimes I wish he wasn't so coy with me. Sometimes I wish he was . . . What do I want him to be? I want him to be there for me. I want him to hold me, to care for me, to protect me; I want him to . . . love me. I sighed again.

I don't think he ever could. I was beaten physically and emotionally. Who would want someone like that? Not someone like him. He had the money, the looks and the family. I wish I had those things; to know what that was like.

I sighed again as I leaned forward to get my phone from the table. Holy, shit! It was 10:30. Alice was going to kill me! I grabbed my keys and rushed out the door. She hadn't called me yet, so I'm not in too much trouble.

I read the directions and followed them carefully. The streets were clear mostly, but when I got to a street that was just around the corner from the club, I could hear music and see cars for blocks. People were walking down the streets. I pulled up to a curb where people were lined up to go in. I looked at the paper Alice gave me and then at the blue doors. They both read Eclipse.

"Well, this is the place," I muttered to myself.

I saw Emmett's jeep and Alice's Porsche parked right outside the entrance. There was a spot behind her car big enough for mine and a sign that read 'Reserved for the Birthday Girl.' I chuckled. Only Alice would go this far. I got out and moved the sign and then pulled into the parking space.

I called Alice as I walked up to the bouncer. She answered on the third ring.

"Hello?"

"Alice, I'm here."

"Great! I'll be right out."

" 'Kay," I hung up the phone.

The bouncer looked at me curiously. He was taller than Emmett, but not bigger. He was dressed in all black and had black hair and grey eyes. He moved back as Alice emerged and grabbed she tugged at my arm.

"Come on! You'll love it!" She squealed.

When I walked in, I almost choked on the air. It was amazing. There was a huge dance floor right in the center of the room with the floor lit up. Different color lights hung from the ceiling and splayed colors everywhere. To my left and right were bars lined with high chairs. People were already sitting on them, they were talking and drinking. In between the dance floor and the bars were tables with high chairs. There were candles as center pieces and a big, and I mean BIG, sign that read 'Happy Birthday Bella!' above entrance to the club. I shook my head and laughed. Alice was beaming next to me.

"Thanks, Alice." I hugged her again.

"No problem, anything for my sister." I froze and pulled to look at her.

"Sister?"

She smiled. "Yes. You're like a sister to me, my best friend."

I felt like crying again. I hugged her and kissed her cheek.

"Where's Rose? I want to thank her, too."

"I'm right here!" She appeared next to me. I practically tackled her.

"Thank you!" She laughed and rubbed my back.

"You're welcome. Now get yourself something to drink."

She and Alice walked off somewhere. I got a few hugs and kisses from some people I knew from my classes. It was pretty nice. Angela, the girl from my gym class said that the cake was delicious. I looked at her confused and she pointed to a table with a huge cake on it. I smiled at her and told her I was glad she enjoyed it. She wished me a happy birthday again before walking off with Ben, the boy from our gym class.

I ambled over to one of the bars and asked for a coke, since I had a low tolerance for alcohol and I wasn't eighteen yet. I sat on a chair and sipped at my soda. Someone came up behind and I jumped as their hand touched my shoulder. It wasn't who I was expecting either.

"Mike?" I choked on my soda.

"Hey, Bella, Happy Birthday," he smiled at me. He ordered a beer and sat down next to me.

"Thanks," I mumbled.

He took a swig of his beer when the bartender set it down in front of him and moved closer to me. I instinctively moved further away from him.

"So, Bella …"

"Yes?" I was irritated by his presence. I wanted him to go away.

"Do you want to dance?" He placed his hand on my thigh. I gasped and slapped it way with my hand.

"No, I don't want to dance with you! Don't ever touch me again!" I practically screamed in his face.

I got up and walked away. I felt a hand on my shoulder, again, and I whipped around to say some very unpleasant things to whoever was touching me, but I froze on the spot when my brown eyes met those wonderfully green ones.

"E - Edward?" I choked. I wasn't expecting him to be here.

"Hey, Bella," he smiled that crooked smile again. My legs wobbled and he caught me. He wrapped an arm around my waist and led me to a table. I sat down and managed to catch my breath while trying to absorb the fact that Edward actually came.

"Bella, are you alright?" He looked truly concerned.

I took in an unsteady breath.

"Yes, I'm fine. I just didn't know if you were coming."

"Of course I was. Why would you think otherwise?"

I shrugged.

We sat in silence for a few minutes and I took in what he was wearing. He had denim jeans on with a white t-shirt underneath, a black zip up jacket and a black blazer. (A/N: pic of outfit on profile.) His hair was disheveled, but sexy. His smirked when he saw me looking at him again. I glared and turned my head, but then I felt a warm finger under my chin. It turned my head in Edward's direction. His face was only inches from mine.

"You're cute when you're angry," he chuckled and I blushed. "I want to give you something."

"Oh?"

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box.

"What is it?"

He chuckled again and pushed it across the table towards me.

"Open it."

I took it in my hands and slowly opened it. My breath caught, it was a ring. It had a white gold band with two white diamonds and one blue diamond in between them. It was beautiful. (A/N: pic of ring on profile.)

"Edward, t-this is f-for me?" I stuttered.

"Yes."

I reached out to take it out of the box, but a pale hand beat me to it. Edward took it out of the box and slid it on the ring finger of my right hand.

"Wow. It's beautiful." I whispered as I held my hand out. Edward stood up and walked in front of me. He took both of my hands in his and he looked down and ran his thumb over the ring.

"Yes, it is beautiful. Just like you. That dress looks …, perfect on you. I love to see you in that color. It makes everything about you shine with more intensity."

I blushed crimson and looked into his eyes. I saw nothing, but care, want, passion and . . . love. I hadn't seen in it in a very long time. I only know it because of my mom and now, because of Rose and Alice. But I could see that same love, but intensified a thousand times, in his emerald shining eyes.

He looked at me and he held eye contact as he leaned in to whisper in my ear, "Promise."

"W - What?" I stuttered. His breath tickled my ear.

"It's a promise ring."

"Promise ring, a promise for what?"

"I promise to be there for you, no matter what. Whatever happens, I'll be there. I want you to know that." He never broke eye contact. He squeezed my hands tighter with every word that left his mouth.

He was there for me.

He leaned closer.

He was there . . . for me.

Edward's face was just a few inches from mine. I could feel his breath on my face.

No matter what.

As I leaned forward to close the space between us, he was pushed aside. I jumped back and almost screamed as Edward fell to the ground and Mike stumbled in front of me. I jumped off the chair to see if Edward was alright, but Mike blocked my way.

"Heeey, Bellaaaahhh," he drawled. I could smell the alcohol on his breath. "Youuu wanna dance?" I shook my head trying to get away from him, but he grabbed my arm and led me to the dance floor. He gripped at my hips and started grinding against me, I started to feel dirty and revulsion sweeping the areas that he touched. I tried to push him away, but he was too strong. I looked around for Edward, hoping he would come save me, but I couldn't find him.

"Let's go somewhere where we can be alone," Mike whispered in my ear. I shivered from the nasty way his voice sounded. He gripped my arm and pulled me to a room in the back of the club. I tried to pull away, but every time I tried he'd pull harder on my arm, making it hurt. I didn't see any faces I knew on the way there and I became petrified.

There was a couch and a love seat in the room with a table in the middle. Mike threw me on the couch and climbed on top of me.

"Let's have some fun," he slurred his words. I didn't like the 'fun' that I knew he was talking about. I tried pushing at his chest, but he just wouldn't budge. I squirmed and he grabbed my hands in his before pinning them atop my head. He started kissing me, forcing his tongue in my mouth. When I didn't respond after a moment he moved to my neck. He nibbled on my neck, kissing and licking wherever he pleased. He roughly bit me, too hard and I felt my skin break. I whimpered.

"Stop . . . please . . ." I pleaded with him, but my pleas fell on deaf ears.

He grinded his lower half into mine, hard. I heard him groan and then he pushed the straps of my dress down. When the dress wouldn't go down, he tore it.

I cried.

"Please don't this. Please . . ." I cried again, but he didn't hear me.

His hand that wasn't holding mine above my head, they now roamed my body; across my chest, over my ribs, down my leg, up my thigh and under my torn dress. He pushed the dress and reached for my underwear. I cried harder and with everything I had left in me I screamed "Edward!"

Mike slapped me across the face.

"Don't you dare say his name," he growled at me.

I flinched and found that I was losing consciousness. Fast. I tried to keep myself from going into the darkness, but I couldn't. My last thoughts were of Edward.

Save me, Edward.

Please, you have to.

No matter what.

I'm none too happy that you guys didn't beat the review count for chapt 5-hint(9)hint-but I hope they sky rocket with this chapter. Whoever reviews will get a preview of the next chapter sent to them and I will put your name at the beginning the next chapter!

Reader4Lyfe, peace!