Chapter 12 Dinner

We had all had a long day. Jasper and I were already weighed down with significant homework and were inspired to start straight away. We had spent 4 gruelling hours studying and writing and by the time we got back to the apartment we just wanted to sleep. Jasper trudged off into his room and I to mine. No-one was in sight so we assumed we were safe. I walked into my room and before i turned the light on i closed my door, i soon learnt that to be a mistake. I lit my room to reveal Rosalie dressed to the nines with a curling tong in hand. I shook my head and started to head back to the door only to be hit in the butt. Jasper ran into my room, his shirt torn and fear written all over his face. He was followed by Alice who held a jar of hair styling putty in her hands.

'This is a fancy celebratory dinner and you will all look NICE!' Alice yelled like a maniac. Jasper surrendered. He walked toward Alice and looked back at me.

'Good luck!' he wished as Alice pulled what was left of his shirt tugging him out of the room.

****

2 hours , several outfit changes and one very annoyed Bella later!

Alice had arranged a limo, yes a limo to take us to the Italian restaurant. We all looked extremely nice. Rosalie donned a tight red dress and wore her hair in a classy bun, Alice wore a purple dress the reached just below her knees and looked like it belonged to a housewife in the 50's. She however made it look like a glamour dress. I had my hair curled, dark smoky eyes and wore a little black dress that, i must admit, made me feel extremely sexy. Emmet, much to Alice's disgust, wore a powder blue suit that looked although it should have been worn to a wedding in the 80's, ruffles and all. He felt proud which made us all laugh. Jasper was dressed very nicely in a suit and a purple tie that matched Alice's dress. We looked a treat. We stepped out of the limo and walked into the restaurant. We sat down and awaited Edward. We just had small chit-chat. We talked about our Christmas's and what we all did for the rest of the holidays when i realised that there were two extra seats.

'Alice, is someone else joining us?' I asked eying the spare seat. She nodded.

'Didn't i tell you?' she asked. I shook my head. 'Edward is bringing his girlfriend Tanya,' she said and then continued on with her conversation from before. I felt although I had been stabbed in the heart. I never thought of myself as crushing on Edward but the fact that he had a girlfriend stepped on all our tender moments. How long had they been together? As i wondered, Edward and, who i assumed to be Tanya entered the foyer. She was beautiful. She had long strawberry blonde hair that reached the middle of her back. She wore jeans and a sparkly black top but she definitely made it look after 5. She was as tall as Edward; she was curvaceous but not chubby. She had everything. It made me want to cry. I felt the chairs shift beside me as my friends stood to welcome Edward and Tanya. I slowly stood as well. Alice introduced us and she shook my hand politely. This angered me further, why did she have to be nice as well. It would be easier if she was mean. I was now counting on her being dumb, if she was dumb it meant i still had a chance. We all shuffled around so that the couples could sit together which left me in between Rosalie and Emmet. We all talked and laughed, i less than everybody else as i was studying Tanya very closely. I noticed she had a weak Russian accent. The night wore on and as drinks started to flow I became more depressed and everybody was beginning to notice it. I excused myself from the table to go to the bathroom to freshen up. As i walked to the bathroom i tripped and stumbled into a man who spilt his drink all down my dress. We both swore and looked up at each other. He had an amazing smile. He was very obviously native American. He wore dark denim jeans and a wrinkled shirt. He looked very out of place here. He smiled at me and i smiled back.

'Sorry,' he said as he grabbed a napkin from an empty table and tried awkwardly to wipe the drink he had spilt off my dress. I grabbed the napkin away from him.

'No, I'm sorry. Im so clumsy and I'm not used to walking in heels,' i indicated. He laughed and shot out his hand for a hand shake.

'I'm Jacob,' he introduced himself.

'Bella,' i responded. We shook hands and gazed into each others eyes for what seemed like eternity.

'May i be so prude as to by you a drink?' he asked using very bad grammar but trying hard to impress. I looked back at my table where i saw Rosalie had shifted into my seat and she and Emmet were laughing. Jasper had his arm around Alice and she snuggled into his side. I could see by the V shape their bodies made that Tanya and Edward were holding hands under the table. I looked back to see Jacob waiting for an answer.

'Why not,' I responded. He walked me over to the bar and we chatted away happily. Hours later Alice came and tapped me on the shoulder.

'Bella we're leaving, are you coming?' She asked eyeing Jacob. I was having too much fun to go back now. I shook my head.

'I'll catch a taxi,' i said. She looked at me warily.

'Are you sure?' she asked and i nodded. She kissed me on the cheek and walked away. I waved to the rest of the gang and continued on my conversation with Jacob. I really felt a connection with him, I also felt safe.

'Hey, do you want to get out of here, i know a great club just around the corner?' Jacob asked.

'I cant dance,' was all i answered with before her grabbed me by the hand a rushed me out the door.

'Trust me, you're going to have the time of your life,' I smiled, knowing, for some reason, i could trust my life in him.