Chapter 3

A/n: Once again thanks to my beta Alene236! Also, thanks for the like two people that actually read this story! You're the best! My inspiration for a part of this chapter is my BFF, Casey. Seriously without you, I couldn't make this crap up. 3 Oh I guess I should put that disclaimer that SM owns everything… I just like to use her characters for my own enjoyment. Also, sorry for the delay. Real life gets in the way, and it sucks! L If I could write all day every day, I totally would!

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The next morning I woke up regretting margarita three and four. My head was spinning and I felt like I might vomit. I tried to concentrate on how I could make it to the bathroom without vomit staining the carpet. I cracked my eyes open, and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it still made me feel gross. I felt like I needed a shower, and a bottle of Gatorade.

I rolled myself onto the floor and crawled to the bathroom. I sat next to the toilet waiting for the vomit. I spit up a little bit, but no hardcore vomit. I never really prayed towards the porcelain God, and today was no exception. I decided to try and shower, lifting my heavy body and foggy head into the shower. While showering I remembered that song someone once sang to me, "one tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor!" Why couldn't I ever pick up the wisdom in those cute sayings? I always brushed it off and laughed, but oh how true they were.

After I had a shower, Gatorade, and a couple of Tylenol I was feeling a bit better, but food was out of the question. I picked up my laptop, and figured I should check my e-mail and facebook. I waited for it to boot up, and it seemed to take forever. I went through my e-mail, deleting almost all of them, for lack of importance. For fun, then I went to play on facebook. I had a new friend request and a message as well. I opened the friend request, and smiled. Jasper had added me as a friend, and for some reason that made me want to dance around in circles. I clicked accept, and just like Jasper and I were friends. We were friends! Facebook friends, but we were still friends! I couldn't contain my excitement.

I didn't even bother with the message in my inbox. How could it be more important that Jasper and I being facebook friends? I shut down my computer, and pranced over to Rose's room. Right outside her door, I recalled the conversation that I had while drunk dialing. Jasper and I may be facebook friends, but I was positive that I said some messed up stuff the night before. I couldn't really remember anything. I remember he called me m'darlin', but that's about it. I slumped to the floor trying to concentrate on what mortifying things I could have said.

"Alice? What are you doing on the floor?" Rose asked coming out of her room. She was dressed and ready for the day, and was also wearing a huge smile. I wondered what was going on with her.

"I….um… lost an earring," I covered quickly. Rose looked at me skeptically.

"You're acting really weird lately Alice. You don't have your ears pierced! Do I need to call Edward and rat this fishy behavior out? First you give yourself a weird make-over, you drink way more than usual, now I come out of my room and you're on the floor looking like you might break down and lying to me. Seriously, if you need to talk, I'm here," She sat down on the floor with me.

"Rose, I'm not saying that you should call Edward, but I miss him. I really need to see him, which sounds stupid. I just need, I don't know if I want to continue in fashion design. Maybe I should go into fashion merchandising," I started rambling about different things. I wasn't sure where this was coming from, and I wasn't sure if it were the truth or not. The last sentence scared me, did I not want this anymore?

"Alice, are you going psycho? You've worked so hard for this. You're in one of the most prestigious Fashion Design Schools in the United States! You need to get a grip, what's the root of all of this?" She asked me. I pondered her answer. I wasn't sure what the root was, but I knew what it was at the same time. Everyone I knew was coupling up, getting married, and having kids. I wanted that! I wanted someone that I could lean on when I felt like I was moving way too fast. James and Victoria, Jake and Ness, and now Rose and Emmett were all becoming couples.

"I don't think you'd understand," I muttered. It was the truth, she was one of them. One of those couples that made me sick, made me think I was going to be alone for the rest of my years. She wrapped her arm around my tiny shoulders, and I looked away.

"Alice, I bet I'd understand more than you'd give me credit for. Now, why don't you tell me, no matter how dumb it is, I bet you I'll get it.

"No, you're part of the problem. Don't you get it?"

"Alice, do you really feel like I'm part of your problem? What did I do? Is it something I said?" Rose almost blubbered. I had hurt Rose's feelings, and it wasn't really her fault that she found a great guy. I sighed in defeat. I couldn't do anything right it seemed. No wonder I couldn't find love.

"You're not part of the problem Rose. I didn't mean to take it out on you. It's just everyone is coupling up. I just want that. I want someone to tell me everything will be okay when everything is spinning out of control. I'm alone, Rose. Alone," I laughed at my angst filled declaration, but it was the truth. Rose looked me in the eyes, searching for the truth.

"Alice, do you really feel that way?"

"You have no idea."

"Listen to me, Emmett may not be my life. We're taking it slow. Sure, there is attraction, and I'd love to marry him someday but that means nothing. I'm still in a very vulnerable situation, nothing is for certain. No one wants to be alone, and you're not. You've always got me and Edward. It might not be the physical gratification you need, but at least we're there for you and your emotional needs. Oh, and Alice, I know you're going to find someone perfect for you, it just takes time. You can't go 70, when the speed-limit is 45 because you'll crash and burn. Slow it down, and wait. Your knight in shining armor is coming, just be patient," Rose finished her speech.

"That's what everyone keeps saying!" I screamed frustrated at hearing that.

"Did you ever think you keep hearing it because it's the truth?" Rose asked. I sighed and looked at the floor. I tried to find a pattern in the carpeted hallway, but it just looked like a bunch of fuzz. Rose gave me a hug, and I held on for my life. She was right at least I had someone to help with my feelings and emotions. I let tears fall down my face, and I sniffled.

"Thanks for being here for me, Rose," I quietly said.

"You're welcome, I know it's a little soon to ask for a favor back, but I need a favor," She started with a serious tone. I started to wrack my brain for anything Rose would need from me. I was trying to figure out how to repay her so soon, I was still slightly hung over! You can't just expect favors after someone is nice. "I need you to help pick out an outfit for my date with Emmett tonight," She finally broke me out of my thoughts, as a wicked grin swept over her flawless face.

"I know just the outfit!" I exclaimed jumping up and heading towards her closet. As soon as I opened it, I realized this wasn't her old closet. It wasn't in the same order. She used to live in the dorm, and this wasn't the dorm. My brows knitted together thinking about how to find the outfit, without asking Rose. I didn't want to ruin her surprise, or Emmett's.

"Alice, what are you looking for? Maybe I could help you find it," I heard Rose say as she walked up behind me peering into her new closet.

"Why don't you not worry your pretty little head about it. Why don't you go take a shower do your hair and make-up and let me, the expert, work my magic," I replied stiffly.

"You know for such a short person you truly are a huge pain!" She huffed off into the bathroom

"You need to stop talking to Edward!" I called after her. I started going through her closet. I started at the left and went to the right. I had found the shoes, and the skirt. The top however, wasn't there. I frowned. I would hate to go through her drawers incase she had a dark deep secret like she kept dead ferrets in the bottom drawer, and drank their blood. You never know about the weird quirks that your friends may have.

I went over to her drawers, and opened the top. It appeared completely normal, but it was mostly just underwear. I, nervously, opened the next drawer down. There weren't any shirts at all, so I opened the next drawer down. That's when I found something peculiar, prime example of why you don't go through drawers. It started out normal, it was shirts. Dug through the shirts looking for the black halter I had in mind. At the bottom however I found something that I wasn't expecting. Honestly, to me it was a little scary.

An auto magazine talking about cars and junk was at the bottom. It wasn't just one it was quite a few. I pulled them out flipping through. There were articles that were dog eared, and I couldn't understand half of what they were saying. What in the heck was a radiator?

I was just about to tuck her literally dirty little secret back in the drawer, when Rose walked in. The look on her face, I had never seen before on Rose. It was a mix of embarrassment and shock.

"I can explain Alice, it's not like that," She started to ramble. I put the magazines back, and ignored her blabbering.

"Honestly? I don't care Rose. If you like cars that's cool, be yourself don't hide it though," I shortly said. I continued searching for the black halter. I found it in her bottom drawer, and handed her the top and skirt. I pointed to the shoes and walked out into the living room.

I grabbed the remote, and turned on TLC. I was excited. What not to Wear was on T.V. I sat there watching the show, until a knock came at the door. I opened it, expecting Emmett. I way overshot on the height and where I needed to look. Bella stood at the door, and my head had to drop at least of foot of what I was expecting for Emmett.

"Hey Bella, what do I owe this visit?" I asked politely.

"Well, since Emmett and Rosalie are going out tonight I thought it would be nice to hang out together. I was thinking since you showed me your turf yesterday by shopping, I could show you mine today. I could give you the first of many cooking lessons."

"Really?" I asked stunned. I was glad I wouldn't have to be alone tonight while my best friend was falling in love.

"Yep. So what do you say?"

"I say that sounds great. I have to help Rose with her finishing touches. How about I'll come over after Emmett and Rose leave."

"Perfect," She said skipping across the hall. I turned off the T.V., and went back to Rose's room to fix the final touches before her date. I stepped in and she was just putting on a sheer lip gloss.

"Looking good, Rosalie Hale!" I hooted. She rolled her eyes at my outburst. I grinned walking in. She stood up, and put on her Mary-Janes.

"Okay, what else am I forgetting?"

"You're forgetting 'Thanks Alice this outfit is perfect!'" I giggled. She wrinkled her nose, and tossed her blonde locks behind her shoulders.

"Okay, seriously. What am I missing? I feel like I am missing something. I have earrings, make-up, hair, and outfit. What else do I need?"

"I think all you need a hunk of man to be your arm candy," I teased.

"Alice," She groaned.

"I, honestly, don't know! I'm sorry Rose, but I have no idea," I replied. Then we heard the knock at the door. Rosalie looked as if she were going to have a nervous breakdown. I gave her a quick hug, and danced lithely toward the door. I swung the door open, and Emmett stood there wearing a blue polo shirt and khaki shorts. In a weird way, I saw what Rose saw in him. Emmett was actually attractive except the fact that he's like four times my size.

"Hey Pip-Squeak! Is Rosie here?" He stepped on past me, inviting himself in. That was a sudden remember of why I didn't like him. He picked on me, and was slightly rude. Rose stepped out of her room with a radiant glow. Emmett gave her a once over then said something I never expected.

"You're going to have to change," He flat out told her. I was offended. Reason number two not to like him, he didn't like my clothing choices. Didn't he know who I was? I am Alice Cullen… And that means I am an almost somebody in the fashion world!

"Why?" She raised her perfectly shaped eyebrow.

"Why don't you get cropped pants or whatever they're called on and a less uh… reveling shirt. Oh and find a comfortable shoe."

"I'll be right out," She sashayed back into her room. Emmett turned to me and I gave him what-for.

"Listen up mister! I am her wardrobe consultant and that was perfectly fine to wear on a first date! What's so wrong with what I chose for her! Are you trying to get to me? Are you trying to make me crack?" I started yelling and poking his shoulder.

"Whoa, chill out! It's just where I'm taking her isn't the place you wear a skirt and a top like that or heels. I'm not out to get you, or trying to make you snap. Although, to be quite honest, it looks like you've already snapped," He chuckled to himself more than to me. I huffed out of the door, and left. I walked across the hall to visit Bella, and to start our cooking lesson.

I knocked and Bella called, "Come in!"

"Hey Bella!" I chimed skipping into the room.

"Why aren't you just the little ball of energy?" She laughed. Bella was sitting on the couch on her laptop, "before I shut her down do you need to check your facebook or e-mail?" She asked.

"I could check my facebook, Jasper added me as a friend," I mentioned casually.

"Who's Jasper?" She asked.

"Rose's brother who goes to school with my brother, whom I just happen to have the biggest crush on ever, even though I've never met him," I admitted sheepishly.

"Does Rose know you have a thing for her brother?" Bella asked carefully, trying not to hurt my feelings. I plopped down next to her, and she handed me the computer. I logged onto my facebook.

"No, that's why I told you. Please don't tell her!" I begged.

"I won't." Bella assured me. I looked at news feed, and then realized I had a message in my inbox. I clicked on the inbox. My heart sped up, when I saw Jasper's name attached to my newest message. I felt my face flush, and I couldn't wipe the Cheshire cat grin off my face if I wanted to. I clicked the message.

It read:

Hey. It's Rose's brother. I guess after talking to you on the phone last night, I just had the urge to add you on facebook. You seem like a really fun girl, although, I'm not sure it's advised to drink that much tequila in one night. My favorite thing about you since last night would have to be that you said you wanted to fall in love with me. Do you remember? Funny story, I feel the same way about you. I wish I could meet you sometime Alice. I feel like we could really hit it off. So, I guess it comes to the question: When are you coming to visit me? Edward?

Jasper.

I squealed at the end. That was quite forward, and I wanted to die of happiness. I looked over at Bella sitting next to me, and she was biting her lip.

"Did you read that?" I asked.

"Yeah, wow."

"What do you make of that?"

"My only thing is, you have to go visit him! I need to see how this works out."

"Oh my gosh, I know! What should I reply back? How do you reply back to this?"

"I don't know I've never dated anyone. I don't know about this stuff."

"You've never dated anyone?" I gasped in shock. She was such a pretty nice girl, why hadn't she dated anyone?

"I just haven't. I know it's weird. I'm a 21 year old virgin, and not to mention never been kissed. It's awkward and embarrassing," She was now blushing a deep crimson. I felt bad, she seemed to see it as a bad thing, but in reality it wasn't.

"Maybe, we should get started cooking," I suggested temporarily avoiding the subject.

Bella did most of the work, but talked me through the steps she was taking while preparing diner. Our conversation revolved mostly around Jasper and his message. We were like two tweens with their first crush. The conversation got back to her lack of relationships, and morphed into talks about families and back to Jasper. After preparing diner, we sat on the couch and watched a movie. We occasionally made comments throughout, but not much was said. After the movie we had more girl talk.

I was really thankful for Bella. I could tell her almost anything. I trusted her, and she didn't know Jasper or Edward. She wasn't close with Rose. She promised not to tell Emmett. I felt like instead of three days I had known her for years. In a strange way, it was comforting to have someone. She had a lot of similar fears I did about being alone. We were both unsure of ourselves, but were good support systems. I was her rock, and she was mine. It was a different relationship than I had with Rose. Rose and I had our secrets. I had no idea she was into cars until today, and she had no idea I was in love with her brother. Bella and I weren't like that. We admitted our dirty little secrets to each other, it was different.

Before we knew it, Emmett burst through the door of his and Bella's apartment. He had a huge grin on his face, and I took this as my cue to go back home. I couldn't wait to hear what happened. I knew Rose was most likely already on the couch bouncing up and down, waiting with her story and excitement.

I walked across the hall, and turned the knob of the door. The second I stepped in the door, Rose had grabbed my hand and starting dragging me to her bedroom. Her head was turned away from me, and I couldn't see her expression. My hand felt like it possibly might fall off from the pressure she was exerting. She flung me on her bed, and slammed her door shut. I saw her run and jump onto the bed with me. The whole conversation started with an earth shattering screech, and then her model like face broke into the biggest smile I'd ever seen. It confirmed that the date had indeed been excellent, better than that really. I had never seen Rose this way after a date, and I had been around for a while.

"Alice!" She screeched. I laughed. I was concerned she was so happy she might not be able to form words, but she could say my name. I figured that might be enough to convey her enthusiasm. She grabbed my hand slapping in quick succession. I looked into her eyes, and they were truly sparkling.

"Are you going to tell me Rosalie? Or are you going to leave me hanging?"

"Uhhhg! It was perfect," She sighed as she flung herself onto the bed, now lying instead of sitting. She folded her hands on her stomach, and closed her eyes, "So freaking perfect!"

"Care to explain how it was so perfect?" I asked raising my eyebrow. She opened her eye closest to me, and checked me expression. She shot back up in excitement.

"Okay, so we go to Skyline. Normally, I'd find that tacky, I mean it's a Chile parlor, but it was cute. I mean, he said he wanted us to have a true good Cincinnati date. Then after Skyline we went to Grater's. I never knew how good it was! I've never been! Who knew that one of the greatest treasures was in Cincinnati! Then he drove me out to Kings Island, and we rode Roller Coasters for like three hours. We went on Son of the Beast, and the Vortex. Okay so then we're walking out to the parking lot. I'm waiting for him to unlock the Jeep, but he doesn't. He has this wicked grin on his face, and pulls me up to sit on the front end, and he joins me. Then, he gets out his iPhone and starts to play, 'I Gotta Feeling.' So we're sitting there, and he turns to me all serious and says, 'Rose, I had a feeling tonight was going to be a good night, and to be honest it was so much better.' Alice, I was like internally melting. He laces our fingers together, and we just sat there looking up at the stars. Then we came back at the door he gave me a short and adorable good-night kiss. It wasn't too fancy, it was his way of a good time! It was perfect and sweet! I loved every second of tonight," She gushed. I sat on the edge of the bed while she explained further in detail things that Emmett did. In this moment, I was just glad that Rose is happy.

"I'm glad you had a good time, Rose," I gave her a warm smile.

"So, enough about me, what did you and Bella do tonight?"

"She taught me how to boil water, make boxed pasta. She showed me how to make home-made marinara sauce, even though I highly doubt I can replicate that anytime soon. It was pretty great. Then we watched, 'He's just not That Into You." Followed by some girl talk. She's a great girl," I finished carefully leaving out what we discussed such as her brother. I conveniently also left out that her brother sent me flirty, or more like blunt message indicated he was interested in me.

"Bromance for girls! You two are like a freaking couple already!"

"We're best friends! We're not in a bromance!

"You've known her for like 3 days… and she's your BFF? Not to mention your date like activities," Rose suggestively said.

"Shove it Rose," I growled getting off her bed and heading towards my room.

The last word I heard that night was yelled from Rose, "BROMANCE!"