Hey guys, sorry it's been so long since I updated. Anyhow, I wanna say thanks for the reviews. They really do help. I've just had a bit of writer's block. :)

In any case, here's chapter 6 of Masquerade, you know, using characters that I don't own, from that book series that belongs to Stephenie Meyer... I think that how her name is spelled. Well, I don't own anybody. Happy reading. Please review.

CHAPTER 6

It was Thursday afternoon and the girls had been lounging out by the pool. Alice had been called away to attend to some matter in the kitchen. Apparantly, one of the new cooks had misjudged the amount of something in a recipe and the mix had overflowed, leaving a good portion of the large kitchen floor a huge, sticky mess.

Bella had insisted on helping clean the mess, but Alice refused to let her. So, there she sat, by the olympic sized pool, in a lounge chair, soaking up some of the summer's final rays. She slipped her sunglasses down over her eyes and leaned back. She sighed. Maybe one day she'd live in Florida. Or Arizona. It never got cold there. Phoenix would be great, she decided. Maybe after college...

"So." The voice startled her. "This is where your pool is."

Bella didn't bother looking up. She groaned instinctively.

"After all these years..." Jacob laughed when he looked down at her. "Aw, princess, you didn't have to get all dressed up for me."

Bella groaned again. "Go away!"

"C'mon Isabella, that's no way to talk. Besides, we're gonna be married soon. Which is why your dad invited me over today. He thinks we can 'get to know each other better'." He laughed again. "For some strange reason, he thinks you don't like me. Imagine that. But in any case, I have a great idea to get to know you better." He yanked her up to a standing position.

"You know, that bathing suit of yours leaves quite a bit to the imagination. How about I take you to town and get you a better one. Or I guess I could just let my imagination run wild."

His right hand reached around her and grabbed hold of her ass. "It won't be that much longer. You know though, if I wanted..." The sentence hung in the air. "But," he continued. "It'll only be that much sweeter on our wedding night!" He ground himself against her and squeezed her ass once more.

"Oh yeah, it's going to be SO SWEET!" He turned to leave then, laughing as he walked.

Bella calmly walked over to him, whirled him around, and punched his nose with all her strength. She gathered all her courage, looked at him defiantly, and spoke slowly and deliberately. "I'm. NOT. Marrying. You." The last word dripped with acid as she spoke it.

Jacob shoved her to the ground. Had he gotten stronger since last time they met?

He spoke just as slowly and evenly as she had. "Yes. You. Are. Princess. Everything's arranged. In fact, I think I'll bump it up a few weeks." He smirked. "We can be Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Black two weeks sooner. There's no way to get out of it." He leaned over her and kissed her, slipping his tongue inside her mouth.

When he stood up, he laughed. "Two weeks princess. Tick-tock. Enjoy your freedom while it lasts."

"What I don't understand is why you don't just tell on him." Alice said later that day.

They were in Bella's room, avoiding Edward, who was in the kitchen helping prepare dinner.

"They won't listen!" Bella complained. "After Saturday, I'll have to finish plan 'B'."

"So soon?" Alice had a worried look on her face. "Where will you go?"

"Anywhere I want. I won't be a princess anymore. I'll be free to do anything I want."

"I don't know Bell, I still don't like the idea. You need a better plan."

"We have a few days to think. Maybe I could get a place a few towns away from here. And find a job. I could get a car and... I could be a normal person."

"You need somewhere you can go first..." Alice was saying. "You know... I have some family... They live about an hour away from here. You could stay with them."

"I don't know Al."

"Please Bells!" Alice begged. "I'd have an excuse for visiting and checking to make sure you're all right."

"Well..."

Alice stuck her lower lip out in a pleading gesture.

"You look like a pufferfish." Bella informed her. "But... if it'll make you happy..."

Her friend's face brightened. "Yay! I have to teach you their names now. First there's my aunt Esme. She's my mom's sister. Her husband's name is Carlisle. I know it's not a very common name these days, but he was named after his great, great grandpa. I don't know, I might have left out a 'great'. Anyhow, their daughter's name is Rosalie. You can call her Rose. She's kinda hard to get to know, but I'm sure you guys'll be friends in no time!"

"Ok."

"This is gonna be so great Bells! You'll love them, I know you will!"

"Okay, Belle, I've arranged the perfect outfit for you!" Alice squealed as she walked into Bella's room Saturday night.

"Great!" She smiled as she stepped out of the bathroom. "Let's see it."

Another squeal escaped Alice's lips. "You have to promise to tell me EVERY detail, okay?"

"Okay..." Bella promised.

Alice held up a pink button-down sweater. It seemed to sparkle when the light hit just right. Bella took a closer look and saw that the material actually had tiny, silver sequins sewn in.

Bella raised an eyebrow. "Don't you think that's a bit much?"

"No." Her friend stated simply. She sat down the sweater and held up a denim skirt. "It's perfect, isn't it?"

"It's really nice Alice. Thanks."

"Okay, go try it on. It's almost 5:30!"

Bella took the new clothes and went back into the bathroom. She returned a few minutes later. "Well?"

"You look fabulous! I knew it would be perfect for you! You just have to slip a robe or something over it to sneak out.

Alice had snuck Bella out the back way, since Jasper had confirmed seeing Edward near the main entrance. Once they were outside, Alice hugged her friend. "Now, here's a new phone, try not to kill it this time, ok? It's got the same numbers as before, and I'm speed dial 1. Memorize every detail to relay to me tonight."

"I mean it!" She tried to make her face look stern. "If you so much as leave out the color of his shoes, you're getting whacked with the BIG pillow tonight!"

Bella rolled her eyes.

"Now, what did you promise?" Alice asked.

"I will be careful, remain aware of the time so I'll be back before midnight... By the way, you know I'm not Cinderella, right?"

"And?" Alice prompted.

"And at all times when I'm alone with Edward, I'll keep my finger on the 1 on my phone."

"Annnd...?"

"That's everything, isn't it?" Bella asked, confused.

Alice sighed. "And have a good time! Seriously Bell, this is your first date! Relax a little. Have fun!"

"Ok, I will." She smiled.

And that was chapter 6. I'll try not to make you guys wait so long for chapter 7. Please review and try to wait patiently, there WILL be a chapter 7 :) !