Hi everybody, I'm sorry it's been almost 2 months since I last updated, but I really am sorry, there was a death in the family and I'd rather not talk about it.

So as I was saying, I'm sorry, I'll try to update more frequently (if I can). So here's chapter 2 :)

"Today, Bella!" Alice yelled from outside. I was not about to be distracted before I had sussed out how to tie up these stupid shoes.

Okay, that loops round there and ties up with that one... No! That one goes with that one... Or is it that one? Oh my God, Bella! How old are you? 26? Right, tie the Goddamn shoe!

I gave up, getting ready to hurl the strappy stiletto out of the window when a tiny hand snatched it away from me.

"Don't. You. Dare." Alice threatened me. How is she always.... everywhere? I gave her my best evil glare. "Gimme your foot." She ordered.

"No." I muttered, crossing my arms. I was going to be extra especially stubborn.

"Isabella..." She warned me, "I don't want to do this, it may crease my dress, but—"

She needn't bother continuing the sentence; I knew that she was threatening to tickle me to death.

"But, Alice is this honestly relevant?" I whined, pointing to the strappy contraption that she was currently attaching to my foot.

"Yes, Isabella, if it wasn't for your... aversion to fashion, you might actually see that this shoe is absolutely gorgeous!" She replied. She rose fluidly and stuffed a shiny blue clutch bag under my arm.

"Ugh, you can mind my keys and I'll put my money and phone in my pockets, done!" I moaned, tossing the bag over my shoulder.

"Are you an idiot? Those shoes are nothing without that bag. And besides, that dress has no pockets. Ha!" She spat.

"But—"

"Can it, Bella. Its matches the shoes." She sighed, pulling me up off her bed. I tugged the floaty blue fabric down a little and toyed with the sequins on the neckline of the stupid purple dress that Alice had forced me into.

"So...?" I asked, smiling awkwardly.

"Wow, Belly you look.... hot!" She giggled, grabbing my hand and spinning me round. I wobbled, flailing my arms around like a weirdo, trying to regain my balance, "Yeah, maybe the shoes were asking too much..." She contemplated, "Ah, well, you'll have to do; Jasper and the taxi-dude are waiting."

Outside of the house stood, as promised was Jasper. He was dressed in a plain gray v-neck pullover with dark jeans and gray Keds. I had to admit he looked good.

"Hey, you," Alice cooed as she sauntered over to him and attacked his face with her lips.

"Okay, guys, you can stop anytime soon..." I prompted. Reluctantly, Alice drew her face away from Jasper's and slid into the back seat beside me.

"Sooo... Happy birthday, Bella." He smiled when the cab pulled away from the house.

"Thanks." This was gonna be a lonnnng night...

I stepped carefully from the car, cool night air swirled around my ankles. I grimaced at the building that Alice was dragging me to.

I'd never cared much for parties, even when I was little. I'd be happy enough with a cupcake, a candle and a 'happy birthday' from Renee or Charlie. So, as I was saying, I never cared much for clubs either. Not after freshman year at college. I shuddered at the though.

"Hey, Chuck!" Alice yelled over the music that was emitting from the club in front of us. She let go of my hand and looped her arm through Jasper's.

"What's up, Lil' A, J-Man." The colossal black guy answered, pounding fists with Jasper and high-fiving Alice. How does Alice seem to know everyone, everywhere? I don't even know where we are let alone the bouncer... "Happy Birthday, its Bella, right?" His voice distracted my from my mental ramblings.

"Yeah." I shouted back with a smile.

"Have a good one!" The man chortled pulling aside the velvet rope. The people queuing groaned in unison.

"It's all about who you know!" Alice laughed at the queuing people, almost skipping inside.

Wow. It'd been almost 7 years since I set foot in a club. How could I actually forget how loud they are? I gave the gyrating bunch of people on the dance floor one last sweeping look before I was carted up a flight of stairs and pushed through a door. I was about to ask what was going on, but I was blinded by party poppers and silly string.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

"Umm... thanks." I mumbled, shaking confetti off my head. "Oh my gosh!" I mouthed as I began to recognise the people in the room. Most of them were old school friends and work mates. "Alice, how did you...?" I trailed off.

"Shh, it's all about who you know," She repeated, "Go mingle." She ordered, taking a drink from a passing server.

I was passed from hug to hug, greeting friends that I had once forgotten. Most of them I still didn't remember; I think I still have stuff in my eye.

I rubbed my eye carefully, trying not to rub off the make-up Alice had coated them with. Stupid Pixie.

After I'd been congratulated, I found a nice safe spot in the corner and snuggled into the leather chair. Despite the noise, my eyes drifted closed every now and again.

My eyes snapped open routinely, and they immediately fell upon the figure, leaning over me.

"Jacob?" I whispered as my eyes became accustomed to the dark.

"Happy birthday, Bells." He grinned.

"Oh my God, it is you!" I squealed launching myself at him in a vice-like hug. I sighed happily, pulling away to look up at him. "So, where's Nessie?" I asked craning my neck around his huge shoulders trying to seek out the little bronze haired twenty-something.

Jake had been dating my step-cousin, Vanessa for what seemed like forever. Nessie and I were more like sisters than cousins; we were so close, but I hadn't seen her in months. The family tree is awkward now. My so called father, Charlie married that old ho bag, Sue Clearwater years ago. I still do not know exactly how Vanessa is related to me, so I just say step-cousin to save the hassle. She's the only one of them I still speak to.

"Um... It's complicated." Jake hesitated.

"Go on." I prompted. Pulling us over to one of the many black leather couches dotted around the room.

"I'm... I'm gonna be a dad, Bella." He spat out. It took me a while to comprehend what he had actually just said.

"Oh my God!" I grabbed his face and kissed it all over. "I'm so – happy – for you!" I said between kisses.

"Bella. I'm leaving her. And, it's not Nessie that's pregnant." Jacob said standing from the sofa.

Say What?

"What?" I hissed jumping up too. Is this guy serious?

"I said; Nessie isn't pregnant."

"Wow, Jacob, you've really outdone yourself this time. How far along are you? You're not showing yet, I see." I spat throwing a punch to his stomach. He winced slightly.

"Bells, I can explain," He pleaded.

"Explain what? How you slept with another woman? How you are gonna father some kid you don't know? Why the fuck did you tell me, Jake?! On my birthday!" I yelled. People had begun staring.

"You needed to know."

"Do I know her?"

"Yes."

"Does Nessie know her?"

He gulped. "Yes."

"Spill." I hissed in his ear grabbing a fistful of his shirt and yanking him – with much effort – down to eye-level. "Go on, Jakey. I'm not gonna hurt you." If you don't start talking I added mentally.

"I don't think this is the right time or place, Bella."

"She's here isn't she?" I realised releasing Jacob's t-shirt. "The bitch is here! I'll fucking kill her!" I screamed wheeling around, ready to punch the closest woman, but Jacob's arm grabbed my waist, lifting me into the air.

"Put me down!" I screeched thrashing my arms and legs about. I'm sure I look like a three-year-old having a tantrum, but I don't care. He put me back on my feet. "Tell me who it is!" I bawled, tears seeping from my eyes. "Who have you been screwing behind my cousin's back?!"

"Bella? Are you okay?" Alice's tinkley voice came from somewhere beside me.

"I'm fine; he's not going to be in a minute though." I said calmly, narrowing my eyes at Jacob.

"There's just been a little bit of a misunderstanding that's all." Jacob lied.

"A bit of a mis-fucking-understanding?!" I erupted. "What is there about you sleeping with other girls behind my cousin's back that's hard to understand, Jake?!" Alice's mouth fell open a little.

"I think you should calm down, Bella." Jacob ordered.

"I think you should leave." Alice said steadily, looking at Jake.

"I think you should tell me who the whore is!" I shrieked. "Who is she, Jacob?!" He did not answer. I slapped him hard across the face. "You will tell me who you have been cheating on my cousin with." I said my voice surprisingly even.

"Leah."

"What was that, Jacob?" I said. Public humiliation is the key to all arguments.

"Leah. Leah Clearwater."

"Sorry, I can't hear you?" I said, my voice getting louder.

"I've been fucking Leah Clearwater!" Jacob bellowed. I really hadn't taken in the first two confessions. But this one however, hit me like a tonne of bricks. I was not responsible for my actions.

I threw myself at him, clawing at his face whilst Alice uselessly tried to pull me back.

"I'll kill her! Just wait 'til I get my hands on her!" someone grabbed my waist and I was airborne once again. "Put me down, right now!" I screamed, thudding on the security guards back.

"That's it, Birthday Girl; I think you need a time-out." The big person said. Was I seriously being thrown out of my own party?

"How could you do this, Jake? To me, to Nessie?"

"I didn't mean to hurt anyone..." Those were the last faint words I heard – at least I think I heard them – before I was sat on my ass on the sidewalk outside.

"Don't bother coming back." The security man ordered.

So, Jake starts the whole thing off, and I end up on my ass?

Always the way...

I fought back a shiver at the thought of Jake in bed with that... skank Leah Clearwater. Why are all men the same? Charlie left my mother. Carlisle fired me. Jake cheated on Nessie. Why can't they just stick to their sides of the deal? I think Jasper is the only decent guy going these days...

I flagged down a cab and hopped inside.

"Where you headed, Hon?" The man asked. He sounded somewhat Italian under his American accent.

"Anywhere. As long as it's not here." I mumbled and he set off.

I couldn't prevent the tears that slipped silently down my face. How could Jacob do this to Vanessa? They were so close. How could Leah do this to Nessie? They were best friends from middle school, but something happened in the family, and Leah moved away Connecticut one fall without saying goodbye to anyone. Including Nessie. I can't bear the thought of Nessie finding out. But it hurt more to keep it from her.

I hate being in these type of situations. I always make matters worse. Thats why tonight, I'm just taking myself out of the equation. Let nature take it's course. If Jake goes with Leah, then Nessie can find somebody else. If Jake stays with Nessie, Leah can bring the kid up on her own.

Simple.

But of course, it wasn't simple. Nothing is ever simple. I'd keep worrying about this until everything is straight. That thought sent my mind on a path of a completely different direction. I remembered Alice's little nagging voice telling me over and over, "Stop worrying, Belly, you're going to go prematurely gray!" I smiled a little at the memory.

I sighed, nestling into the backseat of the cab.

Stupid Pixie...

"Yo, lady!" the same gruff voice kept piercing through my near silent dreamland. I kept my eyes clamped shut and hoped he'd get the message. "Excuse me miss, but I cant keep goin' any longer or I wont be able to make it back."

I physically plucked my eyes open to glare at the bearded man. "What?" I groaned.

"End of the line."

"What?!" I didn't really think about that. Oops.

"You heard me," He said.

"B-but—"

"No buts, you're walkin'."

"So you're just gonna let me go trotting around some place I don't know. In the dark. On. My. Own?"

"Shoulda thought about that before Daddy's Little Princess had a hissy."

"Dont you talk about my family!" I hissed in a voice I didn't recognise as my own. I wasn't used to people talking about family anymore, especially... Charlie; since a few years back, the 'F-word' became strictly taboo. The only real family I have is Alice and Jasper. And they aren't even relatives! I suppose there's Nessie, but...

"Jeez, lady, calm down!" The man exclaimed, his back pressed against the car door. "You owe me $213.43,"

"What? How much!"

"What can I say? It was a long drive..." He shrugged.

"How can any cab ride cost over two hundred dollars?" I sighed.

"Okay, as its you, you can pay me 200, 'kay?"

"No! I dont want your charity!" I hissed, slinging off my seat belt and cracking open the door. My skirt hitched up a little as I shifted across to get out.

The man's eyes clouded over with a strange look. "Of course," he began leaning through the middle of the front seats to stroke my leg; I winced away, "I'm sure I could think of another way you can repay me..."

That was it.

I slapped his hand away and shot from the car, but of course, me being Bella Swan, I tripped over Alice's stupid shoes and landed on the floor for the second time that evening. I scrambled to my feet ignoring the pain in my right knee and ran-hobbled away.

"Come back, baby, you havent paid your fare!" The cabbie yelled, I knew he'd be running after me, it was just confirmation when I felt a sweaty hand clamp around my wrist pulling me round to look at him. Even with my shoes half-on, I could tell I had a few inches on this guy, even if I am only 5'4''.

I looked down into his beady black eyes and smiled, then summoned all of my strenght and brought my knee up to meet with his crotch.

Go Team Bella!

The guy doubled over, clutching himself, so I made my getaway down the street, turning corners wherever I could.

The air smelt earthy. Like wet soil and trees.

Everything. Was. Green.

Even in the dimly lit street I could see that literally every surface was covered in some form of green or brown fluff. I fought back a shudder and carried on limping. I found a gate and went through into what appeared to be a park of some kind.

I looked around, there wasnt much to see, just trees and crap. The ground was already damp and the night sky was tainted with thunder clouds.

Great. What's better than being stuck in a park in the middle of nowhere than being stuck in a park in the middle of nowhere in the rain?!

I spotted an (obviously green) bench near a path not too far across the field near the roadside. I reached it in minutes; my feet were killing.

I sighed, wrapping my arms around my shivering body before I somehow yanked my shoes off and threw them on the floor beside my makeshift bed, curled my feet under me and closed my eyes.

I – once again – couldn't help the moisture from breaking free from my brown eyes and just cried myself to sleep.

How am I gonna stay here for the rest of forever -- wherever "here" is...

So there you have it. Did you like it? Please can you review, I appreciate them sooo much, they're the stuff that keeps me going. Even if you want to tell me I cant write stories to save my life, then still review!

The next chapter will be out before the end of March for definite. :S

Thank you for reading!

ThatKlutz...