Sun streamed through my window the next morning. It was going to be a beautiful day. I rolled myself onto the floor hoping it would encourage me to get moving for the day. Maurice opened one eye and watched me hit the cold wood floor. I bet if he could he would have snickered. But that is why I like cats, they can't talk. I groaned and sat up finally. My head swam slightly with the remnants of alcohol but a run and a shower would fix that.

I slowly stood and entered the bathroom to brush my teeth. Appraising myself in the mirror I noticed that apparently when I had arrived home last night I did not feel the need to remove my make-up. I sighed and got out the make-up remover and scrubbed any traces from my face. I pulled my hair into a pony tail and changed into some track shorts and a t-shirt. Lacing up my running shoes I did some stretches.

I jogged down the stairs carefully so I didn't fall. Once outside the sun caressed my skin and I felt all the nerves leave my body as I jogged in place for a minute. Then I was off. My i-pod managed to keep most of my thoughts at bay while I did my circuit. I wasn't going to let two pushy guys ruin my morning.

The music followed me into the shower as I scrubbed and exfoliated the night before away. It shouldn't be too difficult to put yesterday behind me. Technically time is past and can never be regained, therefore I should not dwell. If only time didn't have consequences.

The bus was packed today but I didn't mind too much. There was a creepy fat man behind me who every once in a while 'bumped' his hand against my butt and squeezed. I looked directly at him and turned so he no longer had access to my posterior end. This is ridiculous. I left like I was releasing heavy duty pheromones or something. Guys barely noticed me in college, why was I getting attention now?

We reached my stop so I hopped off and walked the block to the newspaper. I got a few strange looks in the lobby but I tried not to think anything of it. Before I went farther into the building I ran into the bathroom and inspected myself in the mirror to make sure nothing was missing, with a bra, or a skirt. Everything seemed to be in order but once on the elevator I still got a few snickers.

The doors opened to my floor and Rose launched herself at me.

"What happened last night?!" She exclaimed pulling me roughly into her office. I couldn't tell if she was asking as a friend or a boss.

"What do you mean?" I asked cautiously not willing to give anything away. Alice burst in and sat in the seat next to me.

"What happened last night!?" They both asked together this time. This confused me more.

"Alice you were there, nothing happened. What are you guys talking about?" My easy going morning was slipping though my fingers.

"This!" Alice said slapping the paper down on Rose's desk. My eyes bugged out of my head.

I ran to the elevator and pushed a random button. Anywhere but here is good right now, I was promising myself. I ended up on a deserted floor pacing back and forth trying to come up with a plan.

Be rational Bella, so paparazzi got a picture of the kiss. No big deal. You're a journalist, publicity is good. Dammit! I shook my head and huffed out a half curse when I heard the elevator bing. I wasn't sure if this floor was off limits or what so I followed my instinct and leap under a desk and rolled into concealment as the door opened.

The floor was covered in saw dust so my earlier pacing was drawn like a map across the ground. I silently swore and tried to stay quiet. There was a moment of silence before I heard a chuckle so I quietly turned onto my back. Jacob stood above me.

"What exactly are you doing rolling around on the floor Bella? From what I see you don't even have anyone with you." He chuckled and ended up laughing out right at his own joke. I scowled at him.

"Very funny," my voice dripped with sarcasm as I got to my knees. He reached down to help me but I slapped his hand away.

"Come on, it's a little funny." He began.

"No, not even a little."

"At least it wasn't our paper," he sighed and shrugged. "Why are you down here? The elevator doors opened and I saw you leap across the room and roll like a Marine. I'm surprised at how agile it ended up. I was half expecting you to break your wrist. And, you didn't answer me yet." I glared at him as convincingly as possible but Jake seemed to break through the gloom.

"I was avoiding people."

"Why?"

"Why do you think? Everyone is staring at me. I hate getting a lot of attention." He seemed to lose focus and wander away. "Jake?" He didn't respond. "Jake!" I said punching him in the arm. He pretended to be wounded and turned towards me.

"I thought you said you didn't like attention." He grinned and I punched him again. My knuckles hurt after colliding with his solid arm. I shook my hand discreetly.

"You are worse than…" I trailed off. I was going to say 'my father' but Charlie didn't really tease me anymore so that was a bad comparison.

"Oh, that's mature. Leave me hanging."

"You're worse than a tse tse fly. ESPECIALLY if it is carrying malaria." I concluded and smirked.

"Well you're like a mosquito with triple E." He countered.

"You're a bubonic plague rat!"

"You're a salmonella turtle!" His response caught me by surprise and we both curled over with laughter. "Do you feel better yet?" I nodded with a sinking feeling in my stomach. What was I going to do?

"What should I do Jake? Nothing happened but the paparazzi aren't going to leave me alone. I kissed him ONCE. This is so humiliating…" I run and hands through my hair and sat on a random desk. Jake sat next to me and put a comforting arm around my shoulders.

"Why did you kiss him in the first place? I didn't know you went for the foreign guys…" I punched him again.

"He kissed me to be exact. I went to a club with Alice last night to help her make a guy jealous. I was dancing and he joined me. I had two and a half martinis at that point and it didn't seem like a bad thing. I just let Mikhail kiss me. It wasn't bad either. But it's not like we're in a relationship. Soon after I up and left," Jacob raised his eye brows at me. "Without him you douche." I rolled my eyes but I was still oddly comforted.

"I see. So what are you going to do?" I shrugged and hung my head.

"Find a really big hole and jump in."

"How will that solve the problem? You should go out again and make sure that you aren't with anyone for a while. The paparazzi will lose interest quickly." This made sense. I leaned into his warmth and felt my hope come back.

This might work…

I had sat with Jake long enough so I decided to go back to work. I had not noticed my desk in my haste to leave so I was breathless to see hundreds of white lilies on or around my desk. Whoever sent them obviously did not know me well since I hated stuff like this. Sure a bouquet can be nice now and then, but this was just obscene.

So many helpless flowers…

"Have you read the card yet?" Alice asked from behind me. I blushed and searched for it amongst the buds. I found it eventually.

Dear Isabella,

I had a lot of fun last night. I hope you did as well. My dreams were of you…

Mikhail

My response must not have been what Alice wanted because she grabbed the expensive parchment from my hand to read it herself.

"Why aren't you happy? You're a celebrity, isn't that good?"

"No it's not good! I don't want to be a celebrity. I don't even like the guy. I just kissed him. Once, that's it." I huffed and tried to find my chair between the flowers.

"The picture looks like more than kissing is going down…" She trailed off and I grabbed the paper from her hands. I was positive I was hidden from view as I tried to read the caption.

Last night at Club Casablanca, hotty Mikhail Strauss was caught playing tonsil hockey with this lovely lady. This tantalizing temptress is Isabella Swan, a journalist at Seattle Sun Times and she most certainly has good taste. Yum.

I inspected the picture trying to remember the night before. I barely could remember the sensation of Mikhail's lips. They paled in comparison to the super nova that was Edward. I put my face in my hands and tucked my feet under myself. This is most certainly a mess.

"Bella?" I heard Rose outside my oasis. I craned my neck so my head emerged from my forest. "Good, you're still here. How is the Robby Blake piece coming?" She was all business.

"Good. I'm in the final stages of editing. I should have it by lunch."

"Excellent. I'll read it over after I eat. Thanks," with that she wandered away to talk to someone else. I turned my computer on and waited for it to boot. The smell of the lilies was relaxing along with setting off slight hay fever. I could both stay hidden from those around me and end up all stuffy, or I could move some of the flowers so I actually got air. It was a tough choice.

I stood and walked around the room depositing a vase of flowers where ever there was a surface to support it. The entire office smelled of lilies, but it was no longer over powering. Eyes followed my progress but I wasn't as panicked as before.

Once I set to work the world dissolved around me. There was just me in a cyber world looking into Robby's past. My left foot began to cramp eventually bringing me from my zone. I glanced at the clock as I saved the document. It was finally finished and I was starving. I e-mailed Rosalie a copy for her final edit and I stood to search for Alice.

Her desk wasn't too far from mine but as I got closer I noticed that she too had flowers. Only hers were in her trashcan.

"Why'd you throw them away?" I asked trying to rescue the pretty buds. She kept typing one handed while handing me a small note. It was not nearly as high quality as mine, but it was cute.

Alice,

I will never forget last night. Call me.

Kyle

It was a bit forward, but sweet that he sent flowers.

"So what's the problem?" I asked handing back the paper. She huffed and turned to look at me.

"I ditched the dork a block from the club after I made sure Jasper saw us leaving together. I thought Jasper would pursue us or something, to stop me from making a mistake. Instead he just sat there moping. I was very disappointed," she pouted. The wheels in my head turned as I tried to remember Jasper's reactions. He obviously wasn't happy that Alice was with someone else and I was positive that he wanted to cut in.

"Maybe he wanted you to be happy." It clicked. It made sense. Jasper was too much of a gentleman to make Alice choose, so he had bowed out. Alice looked at me as her brows creased.

"What do you mean?" She was trying to be angry but I knew she wanted me to be right.

"Maybe he just thought that you wanted to be with that guy, so he let you. It's kind of sweet in a way. He didn't want to embarrass you or something." I shrugged and knowing bloomed on her face. Her mouth formed a radiant smile before she grabbed the phone and started dialing. "So does this mean you aren't going to lunch with me?"

"Oh, yeah I'm sorry Bella. I need to do this as soon as possible." She placed her hand over the receiver but turned her attention back when it started to ring. I shrugged and walked away. Where should I go and sit by myself without looking like a complete loser?