A/N: Jeez, ya'll really hate Riley don't you? Poor Riley never did anything to ya'll, you know how much he loves Bella. Give him a break!

Oh and this chapter is super de duper long XD

Chapter 3

Shocked would be taking my reaction lightly. My first instinct was to duck into the nearest bathroom and stay there for eternity. Of course, that would mean moving my legs, but I seemed to of lost all use of any limb. I settled for sinking back into the corner of the couch and hiding behind the book bag still on my lap.

I peeked from behind the bag and saw that Riley was still at the checkout. He had tanned considerably and with his shaggy blonde hair he looked like he had just stepped out of one of those surfing magazines. I caught a glimpse of someone approaching me out of the corner of my eye and I saw Rachel for the first time in two years.

Her dark black hair was still in the spiral curl and the only difference was that it was considerably shorter falling just about her shoulders. Here eyes looked somewhat brighter and her olive colored cheeks were rosier than I remembered. She glided over to the couch next to me and placed a small suitcase down on the floor and then glanced at me briefly. Her eyebrows scrunched together and then with a shrug she turned around and headed back in the direction she had come.

I was sure she would have recognized me. I hadn't changed all that much. I fished around in my purse and pulled out my mirror to check my appearance. I glanced in the tiny mirror and studied myself.

It was true that my hair was still the same brown color except it had natural blonde streaks in it from the California sun. It did that wavy thing from all the days I let the salt dry in my hair. I also noticed that my skin wasn't as pale as it used to be. My skin was now almost as tan as a regular Californian girl's. Riley loved surfing and always insisted on bringing me along on his trips. I guess I had changed a bit.

I looked up again and saw Edward leaning over the check in desk as he talked to the receptionist. He seemed the same yet different. His muscles were somewhat more defined and his skin was possibly paler than before. His beautiful bronze hair was a darker shade of auburn. I also noticed that he looked skinnier. I could have just been imaging things though.

I now became aware of the fact that Riley and Edward were just two lines down from each other and frankly I wasn't ready to face Edward now, not yet. I needed to get upstairs and take a shower and sleep off some jet lag. Then I needed to get up with Alice and go shopping for a totally kick but outfit for tonight's dinner because heaven knows my wardrobe was completely limited.

I hadn't noticed that Riley had finished the arrangements until he stood in front of me reaching out for the bag. I handed him my cover shield and glanced quickly back at Edward. Rachel was standing behind him and he turned around to ask her something. She shook her head yes and Edward turned back to the receptionist with an irritated expression.

Riley caught my line of vision and he grabbed my hand pulling me along. "I didn't think you saw them." He whispered under his breath. "Are you okay?"

Paused for a moment so it would be true. "Yeah, I'm fine."

I silently followed Riley down the hall. He led me to a pair of elevators with golden doors. He pulled me onto the elevator and pressed the top button. I let go of my suitcase and it wobbled then stood still. Riley pulled me closer to his body tucking my head under his chin.

"I love you Bella." He whispered sweetly into my hair.

"I love you too." I answered back leaning into him.

The elevator dinged signifying that we had reached the floor we were supposed to get off on. I stepped out onto the floor lugging my giant suitcase along with me. I stepped aside and Riley led the way. We took a left out of the elevator lobby and walked all the way down the hallway until we got to the end. He turned to the right and his eyebrows lifted.

"Found it." He smirked sliding the key into the slot.

We stepped into the darkened room and with a flip of the light, the whole room lit up. I drug my suitcase through the door and left it in the entryway as the door slammed closed. I slipped past Riley and went to the bed falling back onto my back. The jet lag completely wore me out and I wasn't too sure if I was up to shopping with Alice today plus dinner tonight.

"Hey Bella, do you know what this is?" Riley walked into the bed area with a garment bag in his hand.

Just then the hotel phone rung and I leaned over to pick it up. Alice's bubbly voice came over the phone. "Bel-la, welcome to the Big Apple."

I laughed. "What-y." I asked mimicking her singsong voice.

"I figured you'd be in total need of a wardrobe change and that you'd bee too tired for shopping with me so I got you a couple of outfits for the week and something for tonight." She explained.

I gestured for Riley to sit next to me and he complied bring the bag with him. I unzipped it searching through the clothes. "Which one?" I asked a little puzzled. There were more than a couple of outfits in this bag. That only meant they were thin and skimpy. Most of them were, per usual, short and flashy.

"I think the dark blue one would be good for tonight." She paused. "Oh crap I forgot to bring you the shoes. I guess I'll just have to bring them by later." She paused. "I might as well do your make up while I'm there." I could almost see the smirk on her face.

I thought about protesting but then decided against it. It had been awhile since I'd seen Alice and I figured I'd let her have her fun. "Fine." I sighed in defeat.

Alice squealed. "Great Bella. Now get some sleep. I'll be there around 5:30."

"Mkay Alice, see ya then." I yawned and Riley stood up zipping the bag back up.

"Okay Bella." Alice said happily. "See ya."

I hung the phone up and scooted back on the large bed. Riley stepped back into view with a goofy grin on his face.

"What?" I asked smiling. I had always said his smile was contagious.

He shook his head silently and walked toward me crawling on the bed next to me. He wrapped his bronze arms around me kissing my neck softly. "I love you." He whispered.

I loved how he made me feel loved. There wasn't a day that went by when he didn't remind me how much he loved me. He was a corny romantic and it wasn't unusual for there to be a rose waiting for me on my desk at school or a love letter waiting for me when I got home on the days when I needed them the most.

I snuggled into his chest and he reached over me to the nightstand and grabbed the remote. He situated himself and clicked on the TV while scrolling through the channels. "What do you wanna watch?" He leaned down whispering in my ear.

I shrugged laying my head on his chest. "It doesn't matter, I'm just going to go to sleep." I half said half yawned.

He didn't reply but I heard the channels continue to flip by. I let my eyes slide close and soon I slipped into unconsciousness.

"Wake up babe." Riley cooed into my ear.

I rolled over hugging his body tightly. "No thanks, I'm tired."

He chuckled running his hands over my arm. "I know but Alice will be here in-." he was interrupted by three quick knocks on the door. "Now."

He pulled away from me and the bed creaked as he stood up. I didn't hear his feet but I heard the door open. I rolled over and pulled a pillow over my head. Jet lag had totally kicked my butt.

"Up, Up, Up." Alice's shrill voice filled the room. She pulled the pillow from my head and I groaned searching for another one. "A little help Riley?" I heard Alice ask.

"Sure." He chuckled.

I sat straight up sending Riley an evil glare. "You wouldn't."

He shrugged. "Probably not, but Alice can be pretty scary." He laughed nodding toward Alice.

I nodded. "Yeah, you're right."

I pulled myself out of bed and sleepily trudged through the room. Alice flitted along at my side going off about how she was going to have so much fun and it would be like old times. I only heard half of it.

She all but pushed me into the shower with various bottles of shampoos and body wash. She rattled on about how I was supposed to use each one. I forgot how quick she talked when she got excited so I just decided I'd read the back of the bottle and figure it out myself.

I shooed Alice out of the bathroom and stepped into the shower. I fumbled with the temperature knob and freezing cold water shot from the nozzle. I squealed and jumped from the cold chill causing myself to loose my balance on the slippery tub floor. I hit the ground with a thud.

"Bella?" Alice's frantic voice came from the other side of the door. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just fell." I groaned clutching my head lightly.

"Silly Bella." Alice sighed.

I pulled myself up from the tub floor and proceeded to go through the new routine Alice had given me. I rubbed my strawberry shampoo into my scalp and let the familiar scent bring down the pounding in my head. I may have changed somewhat in appearance, but the scent was something too familiar to give up.

I washed the shampoo and conditioner from my hair and decided it would be a good idea to shave my legs. The dress Alice had picked out wasn't exactly one that covered much skin. Then again, they never did. I stepped out of the shower and started rubbing myself dry of the water. I had just got done drying my hair when there was a knock on the bathroom door.

"Bella, are you done yet?" Alice asked impatiently.

"Yeah." I called back to her heading toward the door. I opened it slowly and braced myself for Alice and her psycho makeover mood.

Alice threw a ball of clothing at me and miraculously I was able to catch it. I unraveled the ball and saw it consisted of a large white t-shirt, some shorts, and some lacey underwear that I was sure I hadn't brought.

She closed the door behind her and starting laying all sorts of creams and objects out on the table. I pulled on the too large shirt along with the underwear and shorts. Alice turned around and her eyebrows scrunched together.

"Jeez Bella, you got a tan. Is that possible?" She asked a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

I shrugged. "Apparently. Is that a problem?"

She shook her head. "Nope, it's just a little weird." She paused and then picked up a few strands of my wet hair. "Your hair looks lighter too." She said in almost a disapproving tone.

I stared at her in shock. "Sorry if that offends you Alice." I huffed out. "The sun kind of comes with California."

She frowned and then her face grew softer. "Sorry." She apologized. "It's just that I feel you're changing too quickly and I don't get to see it happen. I miss you Bella. I miss having my best friend right next door."

I pulled her into a tight hug. "I know me too Alice. I miss your whole family." I paused. "I've barely seen Emmett since graduation."

Alice pulled away and looked me in the eye. "Hold that though." She slipped out of the bathroom as soon as there was a knock on the room door.

"Where is she?" Emmett's familiar voice boomed.

"Emmett?" I squealed running out of the bathroom. I ran jumping into his warm arms and hugging him tightly. "Aw Emmett I've missed you."

His laughter shook my whole body. "I've missed you too Bells." He hugged me tightly.

Rose's perfect giggle came from beside me and I jumped out of Emmett's arms to give her a hug. "Aw Rose, I've missed you too."

She hugged me back and then pulled away giving me a weird look. "Wow Bells, you're a regular California babe." She said picking up my hair as Alice had done. "You're gorgeous."

I blushed biting my bottom lips and Emmett laughed again. "Some things just don't change." He sighed.

Emmett looked up and his eyes widened. "Oh, hey Riley. I didn't know you would be here."

Riley's arms slipped under my arms holding me from behind. "Yeah, well they could spare me at work." He laughed kissing the top of my head.

The atmosphere was awkward for a few brief seconds before Alice interrupted pulling on my arm. "Come on Bella, you have to get ready."

"Oh, Bella makeover. Can I help?" Rose asked with excitement.

"Absolutely." Alice said back with the same excitement.

"It's been too long." She sighed following us into the bathroom.

After many creams, glosses, dryers, and irons, I was deemed presentable. Alice skipped out of the bathroom with a sigh and returned with my dress, flats, some matching bangles, and a simple silver heart necklace to go around my neck.

"Remember…" Alice started.

I nodded. "Don't look in the mirror until I have everything on and you and Rose get to see my reaction. Got it." I finished her spiel knowing exactly what she would say. I shooed them out of the bathroom to help Riley get dressed and faced the tub to pull on my clothes. When I was sure everything was secure, and more importantly that my "ladies" weren't going to fall out, I called Alice and Rose into the bathroom.

I don't know what made me react the way I did. At first I thought it was because it had been so long since I felt so pretty. Then I found the truth behind my emotional overload. The tears built up in my eyes and I willed them away knowing that Alice and Rose had worked too hard on my makeup for me to ruin it with the traitor tears.

"Bella?" Alice spoke softly beside me. Rose dabbed lightly at my eyes with a wad of toilet paper. "Don't cry, you'll mess up your makeup." She hiccupped.

I glanced over at Alice to see that she too had tears built up in her eyes. Rose hugged me from the side and sniffed. She had joined out emotional pow wow. I threw my arms over their shoulders and hugged them both. "I miss you guys."

There was a soft knock on the door. "Girls? Are you ready yet?" I didn't want Riley to see me like this. I didn't want him to know how much I missed my old life.

"Yeah just a minute." I called to him willing my emotions under control.

He hesitated for a moment. "Okay."

Alice and Rose snapped out of their trance and looked toward the door and them back at themselves. "We have to get ready!" Alice finally noticed.

Alice and Rose skittered out of the bathroom and I heard the hotel room door slam shut. I turned to make sure my eyes were tear free and then turned to the bathroom's open doorway. I silently stepped into the darkened room and out into the larger room.

Riley was sitting at the desk with the laptop open in front of him. He wore khaki pants with a long sleeved button up shirt. The top couple of buttons were unbuttoned and the light blue color brought out his striking blue eyes. He looked up toward my direction and his posture seemed to relax

"What do you think?" I lifted my eyes to meet Riley's tanned face. I silently turned letting the dress swirl around me.

Riley's eyes lit up and he crossed the room reaching out for me. He grabbed my hand and twirled me into him. "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" He quoted Shakespeare's famous sonnet.

I couldn't help the happiness that filled me. It seemed that with Riley all my sadness was gone. It didn't matter that I lived thousands of miles away from my best friends; with Riley I didn't need friends. Riley was my protection, provision, support, love, and joy.

Riley bent his lips down to my ear. "I'm not letting go of you at all tonight. Remember that." He whispered his voice dripping with possessiveness.

I turned to face him standing on my tiptoes to place a kiss on his lips. "I'm okay with that." I agreed. With Riley, I could face the world.

A/N: Hm, so what will happen at the dinner? I'll tell you what'll happen…. In the next chapter! So I'm trying to update every other day…. I'm not sure how well it will work but I'm trying!

PS: Some people have stated that they're not going to read this story because Edward and Bella aren't together. All I have to say to that is keep an open mind and you have to trust me. I'm totally team Edward but it's no fun when the two don't have to work to be together.

Review!

Kayla XD