Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

Bella's POV

2 Months Later

This has been a long, crazy semester. All of us have been studying a lot and working harder than ever to pass the strenuous exams LDV administers. It's harder now because we don't live on campus, and at home we don't spend as much time goofing off because our fathers are always watching. We've also been practicing a lot in our respective sports because World Competitions are getting closer and closer everyday.

But finally, we get to take a respite from all our hard work because yes, there's another party coming up. Specifically, Hannah's 16th birthday party. Her birthday is May 8th, and that's right around the corner. Her theme this year is Hollywood Chic. We're all wearing long, flowing dresses with extravagant trains, Hannah's having the longest train. Hers is red and form fitting. Mine is black and shiny and Chala's is gold and has a split up the side. Yes, the Volturi throw a lot of parties but no one can ever say we don't look perfect for every one.

Today, Chala, Hannah, and I are all sitting around in the library. We have our textbooks open but we can't stop talking about the party.

"Who are you taking to Hannah's party?" I asked Chala. Her and Alec are still not together and still barely speaking. Neither of them seem to be adjusting very well, but Chala is doing a lot better than Alec. Chala smiled.

"Justin." she answered confidently.

"Are you guys together now?" I questioned.

"No, not yet." she giggled.

"Well, if you're happy, I'm happy." I smiled at her. Chala continued to let us in on what was going on with her and Justin, and we soon forgot completely about our studies.

Alec's POV

"No, not yet." I heard Chala giggle in response to Bella's question. I can't believe this. I thought, banging my fist against the wall. I was standing down the hall listening to the conversation. I had actually come to see if Hannah still needed help with her math, but when I heard them all talking about Justin, I paused to listen in. What I heard hadn't made me too happy, to say the least.

Demetri came around the corner, a concerned look on his face. I guess he had heard me bang my fist against the wall. I'm glad we are on good terms again.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Chala and Justin." I stated, turning my back against the wall and sliding down it to the floor.

"Look, Alec, I can only imagine what you are going through. If it was me and Bella I don't know what I'd do. But you have to move on." Demetri told me in a sympathetic tone.

"I don't want to." I retorted.

"C'mon man, you have to. You can start by finding a date to Hannah's party." Demetri suggested. "If Chala is happy now, you should be too."

I sighed and shook my head. "Okay. I'll try."

Dem smiled and gave me a slap on the shoulder and walked off. He left me to ponder which girl from LDV I could take to the party. I made sure to steer clear of thoughts about any of Chala's cheerleaders or friends. I didn't have the heart for anymore drama.

Hannah's POV

I was about to lose my mind. And for someone who is usually as calm and collected as me, that's a big deal.

"That does not go there!" I yelled at the decorators. I swear, if you want something done right you have to do it yourself.

"Where the hell is Chala and Bella, they were supposed to be here by now." I grumbled to myself just as they walked in, laughing. "You're late!" I snapped.

"Dang, drama mama. Chill." Bella laughed.

"She trippin'," Chala added.

"This party has to be perfect. I will never turn 16 again." I said in a tight, controlled tone. They don't understand the pressure of this situation. After all, they're only 15. Chala just turned 15 at that! Everyone was staring at me like I had grown a third leg. "Get to work, people! I'm not paying you to stand around with your mouths hanging open!" I yelled. Everyone sprang back into action.

"Actually, Marcus is paying them…" Bella said softly. I glared at her. Was she trying to be funny?! Just as I was about to snap at her, I felt large, strong hands settle on my shoulders.

"Relax babe. Everything is going to be perfect." Felix's deep voice rumbled at my ear. I shivered and immediately exhaled heavily.

"I hope so." I said. Felix kissed me on the cheek and I picked up my clipboard and went around the room, checking things off my list as I saw that they were done. Little by little, things were getting done and my stress was melting away especially with Felix there to calm me down when I got too anxious. Bella and Chala were hard at work, assisting the decorators and instructing them as well.

"The food and the flowers need to be here in the next two hours!" Chala screeched into the phone. I smiled and shook my head. Last time the Volturi girls took on planning a whole birthday extravaganza.

Finally, a few stressful hours later, everything was completed and in place. It was around 5 o' clock and the party started at 9, so we needed to get back and start getting ready. Our hair had already been styled that morning, but we still needed to get dressed and do our makeup. I had gotten my full license earlier that day and I start getting excited anticipating my gifts. Chala had gotten a car so I was pretty sure I was going to get one too. I was thinking about that as I shimmied into my gown and slipped on my strappy heels back in my room at the castle.

"You look amazing, birthday girl." Chala gushed when I came out of my room to meet Chala and Bella in the hall. Bella nodded enthusiastically and smiled.

"You two look great too." I smiled sincerely. "Thanks for being the best cousins/sisters a girl could ask for." Chala and Bella smiled affectionately and we all hugged. When we pulled up to the venue, I noticed the paparazzi was here and groaned. Chala was the most showy and celebrity acting of all of us and even she hated when the media showed up unwanted at our family functions. I wonder which one of them would get suspicious of my family's otherworldliness this time… there was always one that our fathers had to "subdue." I shuddered at the thought.

Justin, Felix, and Demetri were in the limo behind us, and behind them, Alec and his date. I wondered if Chala knew he had brought a date. How would that play out? I hoped there wouldn't be any drama at my party like there was at hers a few months back.

Felix immediately came up and offered his arm to me, and I smiled up into his handsome face. Demetri offered his arm to Bella and Chala and Justin were holding hands. Alec and his date lingered behind us. I snuck a peek behind me and noticed he was with Valentina Monte, a very pretty girl from school with wavy light brown hair, sunkissed skin, a willowy body and dark eyes. She was on the Girl's Soccer team, so I knew her fairly well. She was in most of Chala's classes also. Her parents were wealthy, although nowhere near as wealthy as the Volturi, and she was known for her soft, pretty voice and kindness to everyone at school. Chala would be jealous. I sighed and turned back around. This night would be interesting.

When I walked into the venue, I nearly fainted. The R&B singer Trey Songz was on stage, and he started singing 'Happy Birthday' with his eyes on me as I walked in. A spotlight swung around to illuminate me and I felt my face burning with shock, embarrassment, and excitement all at once. I love Felix and all, but Trey Songz is fine! I smiled shyly as he sung the song to me. He sounded amazing and he was dressed in a black tuxedo. After he finished the song, he bowed to me with that dimpled and impish grin of his and I curtsied back with a blush.

Didyme, Marcus's wife and my adopted mother, came on stage. The lights had dimmed down so that the sparkling of her white vampire skin would be subdued and she had on sunglasses and a long black dress with a hood. She was still otherworldly and beautiful even when she tried to disguise herself. She took the microphone and spoke to me in her strong, musical voice. "Happy birthday, my precious girl. Your presents are here." she smiled, just as a horn blew outside. I squealed and ran out of the building with most of the guests from the party following with excitement, just like at Chala's party. Marcus was driving a red Porsche 911 Turbo and Felix pulled in beside him driving a red Mercedes Benz SLS AMG. I hadn't even noticed that Felix had slipped away. My jaw was slack with disbelief. These couldn't both be for me! I screamed, hugged Didyme and then Marcus as he approached me with a smile on his usually solemn face. Then Felix came and picked me up, twirling me around and sitting me back down with a kiss as I screamed. Everyone clapped and cheered and eyed the cars with disbelief, awe, and probably envy. This night was off to a great start!

Chala's POV

Justin and I were outside checking out Hannah's new cars with her, Felix, Bella, and Demetri. The rest of the guests hung back, and most went back in to listen to Trey Songz perform. I was in a pretty good mood. I hadn't seen Alec all night, hadn't even thought about him. This party was great, Hannah was happy, and Justin was being funny and sweet as usual. I heard a soft, girlish laugh in the noisy night, and Valentina Monte from my classes at school came to mind. That sounded like her. I didn't know she was here. I turned and looked around so I could spot her and go say hi. She and I weren't best friends, but we were friendly. I had been thinking lately that she'd be a good addition to the cheer squad and wanted to talk to her about a possible place on the team.

When I finally spotted in her in the throng of faces, my face fell. She was with Alec. You could tell she was his date for the evening because she had on a deep blue gown and his tuxedo vest was the same color. Not to mention they were standing close and laughing and talking. I felt my skin heat up and prickle all over, and took a deep breath. I couldn't get mad. I was here with Justin, and of course Alec would want to have a date as well… but ugh! I couldn't help it! Valentina all of a sudden didn't seem such an interesting prospect for my squad anymore. She was tan and slender and pretty, her long wavy hair falling around her face in an elegant, half up-half down style that suited her heart shaped face well. As I continued my squinty eyed scrutiny, Alec looked right up and into my eyes. I squeaked and quickly turned away.

"You okay, Chala?" Justin asked, touching my arm lightly. I nodded and smiled a tight lipped smile. But when Justin turned back towards the others, I snuck another peek over my shoulder at Valentina and Alec. I saw Alec, but Valentina wasn't there. I looked around and she was nowhere to be seen. I sighed. Yep, I was gonna go do this at Hannah's party. I slipped away and walked over to where Alec was standing. He looked up from his phone as I approached and I could see him stiffen.

"Hey." I said.

"Hey." he replied, his gaze steady on mine. His skin sparkled very faintly in the moonlight and I had a sudden and overwhelming urge to touch him, but I mentally shook myself and straightened my back.

"So, I see you brought Valentina. My friend Valentina." I accused, my voice only halfway controlled.

Alec laughed and shook his head. "Chala, I can't win with you. I asked out Valentina in an effort to stay away from your friends, and then you go and claim she is your friend when you know you two are acquaintances, at the most."

I sputtered. "We have classes together!" He was right, and I knew it.

"So? That means I can't date her? You brought Justin here. So you just expect me to never date again? You're really selfish." Alec said sadly, like he pitied me. That made me angry.

"Look Alec, I know this is all a front. I know you still love me." I snapped.

Alec quirked an eyebrow. I folded my arms and looked back at him expectantly. I knew I was acting kind of pitiful but I didn't care. Something had taken me over. I felt an overwhelming need for his attention. I was too stubborn to admit to myself that I just missed him.

Finally, he sighed. His face lost its edge, its coldness, and he was just Alec again. The Alec I had loved and hugged and made out with a little too much. The Alec that I knew loved me no matter what I had done or what he had done.

"I do love you Chala, and I miss you. A lot," he said, and my insides fluttered, "But I see you've moved on and I'm not going to keep chasing you, obsessing over you, and looking like a fool." His tone was sad and solemn. I felt sorry for hurting him, for letting one little mistake on his part make me go and be unfaithful, for giving him the cold shoulder and causing strife between him and our family members. I stepped closer to him and looked into his eyes. He looked down at me with a look of fear and surprise, and a little bit of hope.

"Do you really like Valentina?" I whispered.

Alec chuckled, but the sound came out shaky. "Not at all. She's pretty and she's nice. But I couldn't have feelings for someone else so soon after you. I'm a vampire, Chala. We rarely change, but when we do, it's usually final. I fell in love with you; the biggest change of my vampire life. It's a love that will never go away."

My arms shook as I placed them around his neck. His lips parted and he pulled me closer. Oh my God, he's going to kiss me. I've missed this. I've missed him. I thought, my heart pounding. Then his lips were on mine and everything else fell away.

When we finally pulled apart, everyone, including my family, Justin, and Valentina, were staring at us. Everyone looked shocked more than anything else. "Chala? What's going on?" Justin asked quietly, stepping forward.

I looked up at Alec and he grabbed my hand possessively. "I'm sorry, Justin. But my heart belongs to Alec. Thanks for everything though. And I truly do apologize."

Justin looked angry for a moment, and then he sighed and smiled. "It's okay. I'm happy for you. Take care of her, man." he nodded to Alec. Alec nodded back.

Then Valentina stepped forward and gave me a hug, to my surprise. When she pulled away, she smiled sincerely. This was why everyone liked her. She was so nice and understanding. "Justin, this is Valentina Monte. Valentina, this is Justin." I smiled slyly, introducing them. The two brunettes smiled shyly at each other. I pulled Alec by the hand and we left them alone and joined our family.

"Thank God." Felix groaned.

"I second that." Hannah grinned, reaching up and squeezing Felix's shoulder.

"I third it." Demetri piped up.

Bella just smiled and laughed and winked at me.

Then we all went back to the party and danced and laughed and ate the night away.