Chapter 3- When the Lights Go Down...
Bella
I notice my dad's cruiser is parked outside the house as I pull into the driveway. I was hoping he would be at the station. I turn the truck off and grab my things as I hop out of it. I open the door and look on the couch expecting to see my dad, but he wasn't there.
"Oh! Isabella you're home! Great I need your help with something."
I winced at the shrill voice and looked over towards the kitchen to see Sue grinning at me. Why is she so happy to see me? It's not like we ever interact with one another. I our exchanges usually contain fake smiles and passive aggressive looks. Right now, though, she seems all to eager to talk to me. The fact that she calls me Isabella knowing damned well how much I hate that, only makes me want to talk to her even less. But, I play nice. She wipes her hands with the dish towel and walks over to me, still grinning.
"I have stuff to do, so I cant talk for long." I say while making a checklist for this party in my head.
"Oh it can wait I'm sure", She says rolling her eyes, "I just need you to taste this pasta I made for your father tonight. He and I are going to have a date night in and I wanted to cook. You two basically have the same taste in food so, your opinion would be really helpful."
She look at me with her dark eyes almost pleading. My father and I actually have very different tastes in food, but I would expect her to know that. I roll my eyes and start to walk over to the pot. It actually looks good. I grab a spoon from the dish rack and dip it into the sauce. I bring the spoon up to my mouth and blow on it to cool it off before tasting it. It actually tastes really good, and as I turn to her to tell her that I realize exactly what she said. They were going to have a date night IN?! This cannot happen. I cant throw a party with my father and his girlfriend cuddled on the couch. So, there is only thing for me to do to fix this.
"Oh my god, this awful. Sorry Sue. I don't mean to be rude but my dad would not like this at all." I say in my most sympathetic voice.
Sue's eyes widen and her lips curl downward. "No way really? Ugh I worked so hard on this. Your father will be home soon so there is no way I am going to be able to start something else."
"Well you could take him to his favorite restaurant. He loves going to Jimmy J's Steak N Stuff. I'm sure he would be thrilled. You should drive too, so that way he would be surprised."
Sue looks at me and smiles bright again. She hugs me and then pushes back, keeping her hands on my shoulders. "You are the best Isabella. How could I forget about Jimmy's? Ha, that's perfect! Thank you." She walks away pleased with herself and starts cleaning up the food she made.
I head up the stairs and into my room, closing the door behind me. I open my little black party book and start making the calls and arrangements for tonight.
Edward
I lay in my be staring at my ceiling. So do I go or not. I mean there is no way that she could have meant to invite me. She doesn't even talk to me, except to be mean. Although, there is no way she didn't know that was me she ran into. OK, I am going to go. I walk over to my closet and put aside an outfit. I don't know what time it starts though. All I know is it's tonight. What time does that translate to? Is this some unspoken code that only popular kids know about? I decide to text James and ask him, I'm sure he is going.
E: Hey, what time is the party at Bella's
While I wait for him to respond I sit at my desk staring at a blank poster board. I start to think of ways to capture Bella in an artistic non-obvious way. As I begin doodling, my phone chimes.
J: Vicky and I are heading over there at 10. You can ride w/ us.
E: Ty. I will drive myself but I will meet you there at 10
J: K
I put my phone on my desk and get back to brainstorming. I start to draw circles to stimulate my brain.
I now have 3 suns on the paper and no direction. I hear the door open down stairs and walk down to see who it is. As I make my way down the stairs I hear a woman humming. I know instantly it is my mother. I turn the corner and into the living room where she is placing her keys on the table.
"Hi Mom." I say as I walk over to give her a hug.
"Sweetie," she says in a greeting tone, "How was school?"
"It was same as always." I answer watching her plop down on the couch.
My mother is a pediatrician at Washington Memorial Hospital. She's also my adoptive mother. My biological mother died giving birth to me due to tuberculosis. I was sick too as a kid and Esme, my adoptive mother, nursed me back to health and later adopted me. She is the best mother anyone could ask for. I sit next to her on the couch and put my feet up on the table.
"I'm going to a party tonight. Bella Swan is hosting it." I tell her.
"Oh that girl you've doted and fawned over for God only knows how long? Well it's fine, just be safe. I hear things about what goes on at these parties." She says to me, and I can hear the worry in her tone.
"Well you don't have to worry about me. Besides, Bella is the sheriff's daughter. She wouldn't dare have anything wild going on at her house."
"Well that is true. I forgot about that. Oh well have fun tonight. I will be here, watching my shows" She smiles at me.
I get up and kiss her on the forehead. I go upstairs to my room and set an alarm for 9 pm. I lay in bed and decide to take a nap.
Bella
I walk over to the door and unlock it so I don't have to keep opening it every time someone arrives. I walk over to the DJ stand , aka my laptop and 3 sub-woofer speakers, and start playing music. I fill the giant bucket tubs with the bags of ice and place the drinks in every couple. Within 20 minutes I put the finishing touches on the house and its all done. I turn on the laser light disco balls set up around the house and turn the lights down. In walks Jess and Mike. She runs over to me and hugs me.
"Amazing as always!" She screams as she bobs around in her style of dancing.
Mike gives me a hug and I point him to the bucket with the beers. She walks over to grab one as Riley walks in with 4 of his friends. He walks over to me and puts his hand around my waist.
"Hey baby doll." He says as he kisses my cheek.
"Riley, did you not get my text?" I ask removing his hand from my waist.
"Yeah the one where you thought you were breaking up with me." He said laughing.
I rolls my eyes and grab his hand and taking him upstairs to my room. I shut the door behind us.
"See I knew we weren't over. Want a little pre-party fun?" He asked me getting too close.
I push my hand against his chest making room between us. "No Riley, I'm serious. We are done, OK?"
His smile fades and he rolls his eyes. "Whatever Bella, I'm sick of doing this dance with you. I'm staying for the party, so..."
"That's fine. You don't have to leave, just don't be all over me." I open my door to head downstairs and Riley grabs my arm. I turn to look at him. "Yes?"
"Its that new kid isn't it?" He asks, smirking.
"No, Riley." I snatch my arm away and head downstairs.
Riley brushes past me and I shove him playfully down the stairs. He doesn't fall but he stumbles a little. He turns back to me and smiles.
"Careful sweet lips. This is precious merchandise."
"Ugh!" I roll my eyes at him.
A lot of people have shown up to the party during that short conversation. I look around , but still I don't see Emmett. Then out of the corner of my eye I see the door open. In walks the girl with the pixie cut and the guy with short brown hair follows. Mostly everyone stares at them and smiles. The two of them just go up to random people and dance and chat. The blonde with the attitude walks in next. Following right behind her is the man of the hour. I find myself standing on the stairs still, just staring at him. He came, he actually came!