Chapter four- A friendship made to last

I'd been alcohol free for over 6 months, and it was coming up to a year since I'd been in Forks. Jacob now hated me, and my grades at school had improved, mine and Charlie's relationship had gotten so much closer, and tonight, he wanted to take me to the Police ball. I had been reluctant at first, but after I saw how much it meant to Charlie, I told him I'd go. He'd bought me a royal blue chiffon dress and paid for me to go get my hair done. I hated taking money from him, but not as much as I hated getting pampered. I came home from the hairdresser's with my hair in pin curls, and Charlie was pacing around the kitchen in his black suit.

"Dad, we've got three hours before the ball." I told him, as I put one of his favourite microwave meals in the microwave. I heard his breathing quicken. I turned around and grabbed him by the shoulders, and helped him calm down. The microwave pinged and I pushed him down into a chair and took the plastic container from the microwave.

"Eat!" I instructed before going upstairs. I powdered my face and then took my dress from its garment bag. The chiffon was soft, and the silk sash would emphasise my cleavage, much to Charlie's disapproval, it was floor length and I had a pair of slip on royal blue pumps to match. I put my bag on my bed, and took my phone from the front pocket. No-one had text me, as per usual, after Jacob fell out with me because I got clean, I had no-one. I just needed to talk to him. Nervously I text him.

TO: JACOB- Jake, please talk to me. I know you miss me, Jacob I need you. You are the only one I have. Please.

I pressed send with a shaky hand; he would either text me saying 'whatever' or he'll just ignore me altogether. I went back down stairs, scrunching my curls like the hairdresser had said to do. Charlie was shovelling his lunch into his mouth, trying to not get anything on his pristine white shirt. He swallowed his mouthful and smiled at me.

"Billy called just before you came home, he wants to come over and 'see us off'." Charlie told me. He sat, looking at me, waiting for me to respond.

"Is he bringing Jacob?" I asked quickly, but not before he decided he was going to shove a spoonful of lasagne into his mouth. Charlie nodded in response to my question.

It got to 5 o'clock and I managed to slip into my dress by myself, and I made myself look presentable. I walked downstairs gracefully and smiled as I saw Jacob stood in the kitchen, sipping on a can of Dr Pepper. When he saw me, he rose from his seat and walked towards me.

"You came." I had to have enough will power to stop myself from crying.

"I missed you so much, and I'm not talking about the-you-know-what, I missed YOU." He pulled me into his arms, and kissed my forehead. I gave him my best 'we are just friends' hug before backing away.

"Do I get the honour of driving you to the ball?" Jacob asked sweetly. I looked at Charlie and he mouthed "go" at me.

"I suppose you can." I laughed. He escorted me out of the house, Charlie wasn't far behind us. I expected to see Jacob's beat up old Chevy truck but sat on our driveway was a perfect 1967 Chevy impala. The boy did like his Chevrolet's. He held the door open for me, and I got in. The interior was brand new; it had that new car smell.

"Mine's better," I laughed,

"Charlie looks scared," Jacob stated, as he started the impala up.

"He's never been to one of these before, and apparently, the new doctor at the hospital is making an appearance along with his family, to make his face known." I told him, looking at Jacob's face, he was looking out the window, and I could see that his jaw had locked.

"Ok," his teeth didn't move, something I obviously said had hit a nerve. The car ride to the Ball was silent, and awkward. Charlie was behind us in his police cruiser, which meant Jacob had to be careful about his speed.

The biggest venue to hold the ball was the high school, the parking lot was full of cars already, and Jacob couldn't find a space, so he pulled up outside, and like a gentleman he held the door open for me and offered a hand so I could get out. Charlie had a reserved parking space and he took my hand from Jacob, thanked him for being such a gentleman and walked me into the gymnasium. All the men shook Charlie's hand and said how beautiful I looked. Charlie walked us towards a young man, who looked like he was in his late twenties or early thirties.

"Isabella, this is Dr Carlisle Cullen," Charlie introduced us, I smiled awkwardly.

"Go and mingle Isabella, I'll be around." He said, his eyes told me he had to talk to the doctor about something private so I kissed his cheek.

"It was nice meeting you, Dr Cullen." I said, finding a less awkward smile.

"You too Isabella," he nodded, like a polite gentleman would do. I turned around and walked around. People told me how far I'd come and they were all proud of who I'd become.

As I was walking towards an empty table, I got intercepted by an over excited girl.

"Hi, Bella," she grinned. How did this girl know my name?

"Umm...hi?" I said, blankly.

She realised her actions, and straightened her dress, and ran her fingers through her short pixie like hair, to be frank, she looked like a delicate pixie.

"I'm Alice, Alice Cullen. Charlie told me to talk to you." She grinned. I rolled my eyes, and nodded, trying to walk around her. I could feel Alice at my heels like a small Yorkshire terrier. God, why can't she just leave me alone? Why is she following me?

"Alice, leave the poor girl alone," a deep, handsome, heart warming male voice said. I looked at him to tell him she wasn't bothering me, but words wouldn't form, and I was stood looking at him, speechless, astounded by his perfect beauty. He chuckled, which didn't help.

"I'm Edward Cullen," he introduced himself.

"I'm Isabella Swan." I smiled, he brought a side of me that I didn't know even existed. Alice slowly disappeared into the crowd.

"Seat?" He looked towards the table, and bent his arm as if he wanted my arm. I weaved my arm around his and he walked us towards the empty table. He pulled me a chair out, and I gracefully sat down.

"Can I sit opposite you?" He asked, his voice pulling at my heart strings. I nodded speechless. He sat down and placed his hands down on the table.

"So what brings you to miserable Forks?" I asked him, he looked at me, as if he was surprised by my question. It took him a few moments to realise what I had asked him.

"Carlisle la..." A gunshot exploded in the gymnasium followed by screams...