AN: I'm back! And still in the same month. I'm getting better, right? I want to thank everyone who reviewed, favorited, and put this story on alert. You guys are great. The fact that I know people like it keeps me writing. Even if it does take a few weeks for each update...

Also! I have an annoucement. I now have a beta for this story. SwallowedxInxThexSea, author of Under Wraps (good story, go read it... after you read this chapter, of course), has agreed to help me out with this story and prevent my habit for repeating words too often. I know I do it, I just can seem to fix it... Anyway, this is the first chapter that she's helped with, so maybe it will be better than the others. :) She is also helping me think of a new, better title for this story. I will keep you all posted on that development.

Disclaimer: Let's see... I own a new laptop for college, a few unfinished original stories, a three year old cell phone that's on its last leg.... Nope. It seems I don't own Twilight. Damn...

Warning: This chapter does have implications of rape and minor angst. Figured I'd warn you.

Chapter 5 – Turning Point

BPOV

I pulled Alice off the restaurant bench and walked next to Rose on the way to the bathroom. None of us said anything, waiting for the sanctuary of the little girl's room.

Rose headed straight for the changing table in the alcove and hoisted herself up there. I stood awkwardly against the wall a few feet away. Alice stood next to me, wringing her hands together, unsure of what to do.

"You guys didn't have to come in here with me, you know," Rosalie said, her voice still hoarse.

"We wanted to make sure you were okay," I replied. "Sometimes you just need girl time to fix something."

"You barely know me," the blonde whispered.

"You're an important part of Edward's life, so that means you're important to Bella," Alice said. "And anyone who's important to Bella is important to me."

Rose smiled sadly at us. "Thanks. That means a lot."

"Do you want to talk about what happened?" I asked cautiously. "I know it's not really my place to ask, but it does help most of the time."

"It might, I don't know," she said slowly. "I haven't really tried to talk about it…. It's hard."

"I know, Rosalie," I said. "I don't know if Edward told you how we met, but it was after he saved me from… this guy who tried to take me…." The memory washed over me and I started shaking. "In a fucking alleyway at night… I knew that dress was going to get me in trouble, too. I tried to fight him off, but he was stronger. I couldn't get away…. But suddenly, he wasn't there. He wasn't hitting me anymore. I couldn't see Edward until he crouched down to see if I was okay, but it didn't matter. He saved me." I smiled as I remembered Edward's concern.

I looked back up at Rosalie who also had a small smile on her face as well. "From what he says, he had a hard time not ripping that guy's dick off right then and there," she chuckled.

"I wouldn't be surprised," I muttered.

Rosalie sighed and leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "Well, where you had Edward, I had no one," she said, starting her own story. Her voice was almost empty as she spoke. I could tell she was trying to stay objective, to just get through it without breaking down.

"My parents didn't have a lot of money to send me to college, so I had to earn everything. I got a job at a sports bar downtown. One of those sleazy joints that make you wear the booty shorts and a belly shirt as a uniform. I couldn't complain since I made a fortune in tips…."

Her fingers twitched nervously as she continued, betraying her calm appearance. "There was one group of men that came in at the same time every week and requested me as their server. I knew they were used to getting everything they wanted. They bribed the owner for the best table and to always have me as their waitress even though I preferred bartending. They made me work for my tips. I was always running back and forth getting them drinks – always beer – or more food, or even for no reason. Sometimes they liked to just call me over and make rude comments."

"I hate guys like that," I said.

Rosalie looked at me and I saw a completely different person than the Rose I had met not even twenty minutes earlier. Her arms wrapped around herself as if she was trying to keep herself together. The eyes that seemed so bright and happy earlier now looked haunted, almost scared. "It was early June when they stayed late. My car had broken down that morning and I didn't have time to fix it. I had to walk six blocks back to my shitty apartment." Her gaze fell to her legs, looking away from me. I knew the worst of it was coming. "They followed me when my shift ended. I didn't notice them until there was no one else on the road.

"There were five of them. They were all dressed to the nines, but their ties were loosened or removed in their drunken stupor." She paused and took a few deep breaths. I could see a few tears fall from her face. "They backed me into a corner. Even shitfaced they were still stronger than me. Two of them held me down at a time as each one took his fill. Three blows whenever I fought them. One whenever I didn't respond. A few random kicks and punches when the idle ones got bored.

"I was lying in the corner for an hour after they left me to die before I could move. The street was deserted, but I knew where I was. The police station was close enough that I dragged myself there, fighting to forget about an almost unusable leg and a ton of other injuries." She was able to smile softly then. "The secretary at the police station freaked out when she saw me walk in. She helped me onto a small cot, all the while yelling for one of the 'lazy ass boys' to come 'help this poor girl.' They came quickly in response to her tone of voice and reacted instantly to my condition. I was in a hospital bed within a half hour, in stable condition in two. It was around four in the morning and I was alone in a hospital bed, my parents miles away and no one to call. I had no one."

Alice and I stood there, stunned for a moment. My best friend rushed over and wrapped her arms tightly around Rosalie's waist. I sat next to the blonde and wrapped my arms around her shoulders. She turned her head and sobbed into my shoulder. I stroked her hair in an effort to help calm her down, but I knew she needed to let it out. I had a feeling she spent too much time holding in her emotions.

I couldn't help but think about my own experience. If Edward hadn't been there, would I have ended up in a situation like Rose? Would more guys have joined in? I thanked every single deity I could think of that Edward had been there and I vowed that I would make it up to Rose. I would help her rid herself of those demons. No one deserved that.

After a while, Rose finally took a deep, calming breath. "Okay, I think I'm good," she said quietly. She looked up at me and I could see the change in her eyes.

The scared, haunted look was gone, replaced by something akin to happiness. Something she probably hadn't truly felt in a long time. An enormous weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Rosalie didn't have to worry about how Alice and I would react. We supported her and that put her closer to healing. There would still be a scar, but it wouldn't be as noticeable. She wouldn't have to hide anymore.

Alice and I backed off a little, but stayed close enough to still be a comforting presence.

"You know, that really did help," Rose said with a small laugh. "I never wanted to tell anyone so that I could avoid the pity, but I knew you guys wouldn't be like that. I could just tell somehow."

"Well, we are rather good at listening to tough stories," Alice said mirroring Rose's laugh.

"Besides, there are just some things that boys can't help with," I added.

Rose smiled over at me. "There's only so many times Emmett can deal with that story," she said. "He's been over that limit for a while."

"I don't blame him," I said.

"I know a story he won't get over for a long time," Alice said, giggling.

I cocked an eyebrow at her. "Oh yeah? And you've known him for all of ten minutes?" I replied.

Rose looked at Alice, who was still smirking, and caught on. "Oh, I'm sure this is one story that all of us wouldn't mind hearing about for a while," she said with a smile. "But I have a feeling Edward will have the most… physical reaction."

My mind instantly retreated to the kiss Edward and I had shared, his reaction hitting me particularly hard. It was hard to miss, resting against my stomach, twitching in response to my ministrations….

A blush flooded my cheeks and I groaned. "Now I know what you're talking about," I mumbled, ducking my head.

"Oh, come on, Bella," Rose said. "That was hot and you know it. And, if I remember correctly, there was definitely some tongue action."

"Bella, you know I'm not going to let this go," Alice said in her lilting, singsong voice. "You may as well just give us the details now before we pry them out of you."

I sighed and lay my head against the wall behind me. Alice would never let up. If I somehow managed to make it out of the bathroom without submitting, she would just drag Edward into the interrogation and make it that much worse. And Rose… she seemed like she was missing girl time in her life. She was probably dying for something like this to talk about.

If you promise not to say anything about it to Edward," I conceded.

Alice squealed and bounced steadily in place. Rose smiled at me encouragingly.

I ran my fingers through the end of my hair, trying to calm my racing heart. Even thinking about Edward and the way he held me, touched me, kissed me, sent my heart off like a horse at the Kentucky Derby. There was nothing I wanted more than to have that experience again.

"So," Rose prompted. "How was it? It couldn't have been too bad, judging by your initial reaction and your present dreamy state, but I want details, girl!"

"It was… wonderful," I supplied with another sigh. "I don't think I have ever enjoyed an activity as thoroughly as that. Whatever it was…."

"It was more than a defense mechanism, Bella, and you know it," Alice said, clearly miffed that that was what I was insinuating. "For the love of God, please just admit you love the boy."

I ignored her last plea, choosing instead to voice one of my fears. "Are you sure James didn't notice, Ali? I mean, he had to have walked right past us," I said. "He could have easily seen my face and just…." I trailed off, not really knowing where I was headed with that statement.

"All that two-timing son of a bitch saw was a hot girl making out with an equally hot boy in a sparsely populated restaurant on a Saturday afternoon with friends," my best friend assured me. "Between your hair and Edward's body, any possibility of him recognizing you was dashed."

"Thank God," I muttered. "I don't know if I could deal with that."

"Why are you with him anyway?" Rose questioned. "You obviously don't love him. Hell, it sounds like you can barely stand to be in the same room with him. And need I mention the obvious cheating that seems to be happening? Why don't you just dump his ass on the nearest curb?"

"It's complicated, Rosalie," I started.

"I'm not as dumb as I look," she answered with a smirk. "I think I can keep up."

I bit my lip, trying to think of the best way to describe my situation. "My family is big on traditions," I started. "We follow a pretty strict routine in that respect. Getting together for every holiday, birthday, anniversary…. But the main thing has always been that Pride and Prejudice type of thought of needing to marry off one's daughters. It's always been like that. And I'm the last single one in the family, so my parents have been under a bit more pressure from my grandparents than normal."

"So, you're not really worried about your parents, but your grandparents?" Rose clarified.

"No, it's my parents," I said. "My grandparents have told me repeatedly that they just want me to be happy. They've seen where they messed up with my mother. I told them that what makes my parents happy makes me happy."

"I'm calling bullshit on that one," Rose interrupted. "That life of yours is not all rainbows and unicorns."

"It was," I said. "It really was… up until three years ago, I was perfectly happy to just ignore my insecurities about marrying someone I didn't love. I figured I'd just grow to love him, you know? Like an acquired taste."

"Bullshit," Alice said cheerily. "You were hoping to find Prince Charming in that group of stuck up, self absorbed losers that your mother set you up with." My mind jumped to Edward immediately.

"It's no big deal," he said. "It's just the Prince Charming complex in me. It makes me do all sorts of crazy things. Saving girls in dark alleyways, offering up my trusty steed, feeling compelled to keep some clumsy girl from breaking her neck."

My gaze refocused to see Rose's hand waving in front of my face. "Oh, I think she's found Prince Charming," she laughed.

"So what if I did?" I snapped. "What if Edward is perfect in every fucking way? I can't be with him."

Rose cocked an eyebrow at me, crossing her arms. Alice stayed back, already knowing how I would react. "Please, enlighten me," Rosalie said, standing her ground. "Because there must a damn good reason why you keep turning him down when you clearly love him and he loves you more than anything in this world."

I sighed and ducked my head. "My marriage means the world to my parents," I said softly. "I couldn't let them down. My mother was always so excited to just plan needless parties and buy me puffy dresses…. It was never me, but I did it for her and my father. He wanted me to have a decent, stable household when I was no longer his responsibility and an arranged marriage was how he saw fit to get it for me. Their intentions were never bad. It was their methods." I looked up to Rose, whose expression had softened a bit at my confession. "It was only in the beginning of them planning the engagement that it started to go overboard. I didn't like any of it before then, but I hate it now."

"Well, good. Now you have a reason to get out of your crappy engagement," Rose said cheerfully.

"What do you mean?"

"Bells, I think she's right," Alice said. A smile was slowly forming on her face.

"I would love to be let in on this wonderful plan. I mean, it does have to do with my life after all."

"Okay," Rose said. "So, you know how you said that your parents want you to have a stable future?" I nodded, still not seeing where this was going. "Can James really be considered stable if he's traipsing off with other women?"

"And how do we prove that?" I said, not buying it. "It's not like we can follow him around and snap pictures to bring to my dad."

Both girls looked disappointed and I couldn't blame them. I'd effectively shot down my last hope of getting out of the engagement.

"Well, at the very least, you got one good thing out of today," Rose pointed out. "You got one hell of a good kiss."

That had us all chuckling. We ended our conversation on that note, not wanting to get depressed again before we went out to see the boys.

We all fixed our makeup and smoothed our hair before we left the restroom. Rose and Alice burst out laughing as I tripped in the doorway. We slid back into the booth, still laughing.

"So, what'd we miss?" I asked cheerily. Edward, who was looking a bit depressed and yet determined at the same time, looked up when he heard my voice and his face lit up in a brilliant smile. I smiled back, glad to see that he wasn't unhappy.

The rest of the afternoon went a lot better than any of us had anticipated. Everyone got along. Alice and Rosalie were already planning a shopping trip together and plotting a way to drag me along with them. The guys were all talking about some trade that was expected in the world of baseball.

I just sat back for a lot of the time, eating and enjoying the fact that everyone was getting along.

"Hey," Edward said quietly at one point. "You okay?" He was taking my silence as me feeling uncomfortable, but it was the exact opposite.

I smiled at him and nodded. "I'm fine, I promise," I said. "Just happy that everyone is getting along so well." Edward reached over and squeezed my hand for a minute with a smile of agreement before entering the conversation again.

We stayed at the Jasmine Dragon for over five hours. The staff grudgingly let us stay when they realized that Emmett would continue buying food. He never seemed to get full.

It was half past five when we finally got up to leave. Edward put his hand on the small of my back to lead me out behind the others.

"It was really great meeting you guys," I said to Rose and Emmett.

"Now we can hang out all the time, Baby Bell!" Emmett said, scooping me into a bear hug.

"Only if you let me breathe," I gasped when he put me down. Edward chuckled and rubbed my back to make sure I was okay.

"There'll be plenty of times to do that later, Em," Rose said with a laugh. She came over and gently hugged me. "You're perfect for him," she whispered. "Don't ever doubt that."

After I was done saying goodbye to Emmett and Rose, Edward pulled me aside. He didn't say anything right away, opting instead to push a few strands of hair out of my face and look into my eyes.

"When will I get to see you again?" he asked.

"Hopefully soon," I answered. "Rose wants me to stop by the shop and try to convince me to get something pierced. And I think my mother=2 0is preparing another party this week, so I might have to sneak out of that. I'll call you to see if you're free then."

"Okay. But you do know that you can call me anytime, right? Even if you just want to talk, you can call," he said.

I smiled up at him and nodded. "Of course, Edward. You'll never let me forget it."

He leaned down and pressed his lips to my forehead, surprising me. He'd never done anything like that. But it felt so good to have him kiss me again. If only he would kiss my lips….

"Promise me you'll think more about ending the engagement," Edward said as he looked back into my eyes.

"Yeah, sure," I replied, still dazed.

"Bye Bella," he said quietly before he turned and left with Emmett and Rose.

"Wow," I gasped. I forgot where I was and who was with me. The only thing I=2 0could concentrate on was Edward.

"Bella? Bella, are you okay? Bella!" I heard a screeching voice in front of me. I shook my head, trying to come back to reality, and saw Alice panicking in front of me. "What the hell, Bella? Do you want to give me a heart attack? What the fuck is up with you?"

"Sorry, Alice, I just spaced out there for a second," I said.

"Thinking about Edward?" Jasper teased.

"No," I lied. "Just trying to sort some things out."

"Uh-huh," Alice said sarcastically. "Sure you were. There isn't the slightest possibility that you were thinking about that little stunt Edward pulled just a minute ago. Not at all…."

"Fine! So what if I was? I retorted.

Alice smiled. "Good. At least he's good to you and does sweet things like kiss your forehead," she said. "James never does stuff like that."

I looked over at her with a suspicious glare. "You're going to pressure me about it, aren't you?"

"About what, dear best friend of mine?" she asked innocently. Jasper chuckled at my frustrated expression.

"Okay, fine. Act like a frickin' two year old," I fumed, crossing my arms over my chest. "See if I care."

"Somebody's getting her period in the next few days," Alice mumbled.

"Come on, Bella. Let's get you home," Jasper said, stepping between his wife and me.

I was silent during the walk back to their apartment. My thoughts were=2 0filled to the brim with Edward .

The feeling of his lips on mine.

The sweet gestures he always managed to show.

The calls he made to check on me.

All the fun I've had with him.

The fact that he loved me.

How I loved him.

My mind faintly registered Alice and Jasper whispering in front of me. They occasionally looked back, making sure I was still with them.

Alice tried to talk to me when we entered their place. "Bella, I'm so-"

"Ali, don't worry about it," I said sincerely. "I'm going to go take a nap or something." I was heading to the guest room when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I took it out with a smile on my face, thinking it was Edward. My smile fell when I looked at the caller ID. "Hi, mother," I sighed.

"Isabella! Where have you been? We have been worried sick about you. You haven't been picking up your phone, Jasper and Alice haven't been picking up… Honey, where are you?" My mother was genuinely worried about me and for once I felt bad for giving her reason to be concerned.

I'd been avoiding her calls since I left on Wednesday. The main point in staying with Alice and Jasper was to get away from anything that even resembled my engagement. That would be all my mother would talk about if I was home.

"I've been helping out a friend," I said.

"That's what James said, dear, but he said that you told him not to bother with contacting you," she said hysterically. "We need to know where you are!"

"Mother, I'm twenty-one! Legally, I don't even need to live at home," I said. Exasperated, I sat on the couch. Alice sat down next to me and held my hand in comfort. "I haven't been answering because I was busy helping a friend in a really tough situation. She didn't need me getting up every two seconds to inform my parents what I was doing."

"Isabella Marie! Don't you dare talk back to your mother like that!" she screeched on the other end of the line. "I have only ever done what's best for you. I do not deserve that tone of voice."

"Sorry, Mom," I sighed. I leaned back into the couch, still holding Alice's hand tightly. It was my tie to a world beyond horrific engagements.

"That's better, young lady," my mother said, instantly calmer. "Now, would you mind telling me where you are right now?"

"I stayed at Alice and20Jasper's last night," I said, for once being completely honest. "Alice wanted to take me out shopping today." And there goes the truthful streak.

"Well, in that case, would you let me talk to her?" she asked sweetly.

I shot Alice a look, knowing that she'd heard. She nodded, showing that she'd already thought of a story.

"Sure, hold on a sec," I said. I made a production of calling Alice's name, making it seem like she wasn't sitting right next to me. After a second or two, my friend plucked the phone out of my hand and began a conversation with my mother.

"Hi, Mrs. Swan. It's so nice to talk to you," Alice started. She always managed to sound cheery while talking to my mother. I needed to figure out how she did that. "Yes, ma'am. I saw her on her way home last night and begged her to come shopping with me today. She agreed – barel y – and I figured, since Jasper was going to be out with a few friends last night, that we could make a girl's night out of it. We went to a few stores this afternoon, but she couldn't find anything she liked." She paused, finally letting my mother get in a few words. "Of course, Mrs. Swan, it's always a pleasure to talk to you. Uh-huh… Alright, then. Buh-bye."

Rolling her eyes, Ali handed me back the phone.

"Hi, Mom," I said.

"Well, Isabella, it seems as if you'll need to go shopping again," she said with a sigh. "How is it that you can never seem to find anything even when you go shopping with your best friend?"

"Well, maybe it's all about taste. You know I'm not into dresses all day, every day," I said with a slightly desperate edge to my voice.

"Yes, well, do you think you'll make it home for dinner tonight?"

It was clear to me that this wasn't a request.

"Yeah, I'll leave now and I'll be home in a little while," I said. She said a quick goodbye and I hung up the phone.

I stayed against the cough, taking a few deeps breaths. When I looked up, Jasper was leaning against the wall near the door.

"Jasper, do you think you could give me a ride home?" I asked quietly.

"Already got the keys, Bells," he said with a slight smile.

I hugged Alice as I got up to leave and promised to see her in the next few days. I knew she would want to talk more about Edward, but I couldn't think about him right then. Not when I was going back to my parents.

Jasper left me to my thoughts for the car ride. He knew I needed that. Somehow he always knew when I needed that.

Ten minutes of silence past and I tried to think of nothing. Tried to get back into the mindset that I lived in at home. Tried to forget that I spent an amazing day with Edward.

I got out of the car without saying a word to Jasper when we got to my house. He managed to catch me before I got too far, pulling me into his embrace.

"Edward is better for you than James will ever be," he whispered. "Your parents will understand that eventually."

I gaped at him as he let me go and left. Apparently everyone wanted me to go against the lifestyle that I was brought up with.

Edward's face passed across my mind and I knew I had to seriously consider leaving James. I was starting to realize that I wouldn't be happy without Edward.

"Oh, Isabella!" my mother cried as I came through the door. She ran up to me and threw her arms around my waist, pulling me further into the house. She finally let go of me when she set me on the couch. "Good god, what are you wearing?"

I looked down to see that I was still wearing the outfit that I'd worn to the Jasmine Dragon. My mother never approved of me wearing things like this, always saying it was unladylike.

"Mom, you know this is how I like to dress," I said carefully.

"And you know I don't approve, Isabella," she retorted. "You should-"

"Renee, leave the girl alone," my father said as he came in to join us. "She just walked in the door.

"Do you see how she's dressed, Charles?"

"Yes, I do," he answered gently. "I also know that she is more comfortable in that than whatever you put her in."

"Charles!" my mother gasped.

"You know it's true, Renee," he said. He started walking out of the room, stopping only to kiss the top of my mother's head. "Now, I would appreciate it if we could have a nice civilized dinner since the food is ready."

I grudgingly followed my parents into the elaborate formal dining room. I had no idea why we used it when it was just the three of us, but they insisted. Force of habit from so many parties, possibly.

Dinner went by slowly and I barely contributed to the conversation. It mostly consisted of my mother's most recent plans for the wedding that I hoped would never take place. I only spoke when asked a direct question. It was the easiest way to show my displeasure without being disrespectful anymore.

I excused myself before dessert. I couldn't force myself to be in that room any longer. My cell phone was out of my pocket and dialing before I registered that I had done it.

"Bella?" a familiar voice said.

"Hey Edward," I said, situating myself on my bed.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?" he asked, worried.

"No, nothing's wrong," I assured him. "I just needed one last cry to civilization before they drag me back into the black abyss."

"Finally home, huh?" He sounded sympathetic.

"Yeah, my mother's already got me knee deep in wedding plans again," I sighed. "I don't want it, Edward. I just wish they would understand."

"I know, Bella," he said, trying to soothe me. "We'll figure something out."

"Thanks, Edward. You always know what to say."

We stayed on the phone for a long time that night. Edward was so excited that Emmett and Rosalie liked me. He sounded happier than he had in a long time.

Apparently, Emmett hadn't stopped talking about me since we left the restaurant. Something about being the little sister he never had and always wanted. Rose, on the other hand, couldn't understand how I'd grown up in high society. It was a statement of high praise from Rosalie.

I stopped listening to the words after a while. It was more interesting to me to just listen to the tone of Edward's voice. It was soothing, calming. It made me forget everything that bothered me at home.

"Bella? Are you listening?"

"Yeah, Edward, sorry," I said, snapping out of my daze. "I just zoned out for a minute there."

He chuckled. "Well, I need to get going Bella. I've got paperwork to do for the shop. I'll talk to you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, definitely. Good night, Edward."

"Good night, beautiful."

I hung up the phone, shocked by his words.

Edward really must love me. Why else would he do the things he did to make my knees buckle? He had a knack for always saying or doing exactly the right thing to get me to cave and it seemed that he finally started to realize his power.

I needed to find a way to resist him until I could get out of this engagement.

AN: Hopefully you all liked this chapter. If you did (and even if you didn't, criticism is good) you need to click the green button and review. Please. Reviews are better than hearing Edward call you 'beautiful.' Well, I don't know if that's true, but just run with it.

Next chapter: Edward and Jasper have a heart-to-heart, Edward tries to get some more dirt on James, and Emmett develops a new obsession.

Please don't be afraid to let me know what you thought of the chapter! Click the big green button! *tries to influence people with a Jedi mind trick* Damn, that doesn't work in real life...

-Kaylee