A/N This is my second attempt at this chapter, I didn't like it first time around. Lemons are coming soon I promise. Please review. I love feedback.
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I threw my alarm on the floor, how dare it have the audacity to beep at me everyday at 6am. Only today wasn't just another day and there was a pixie on the end of my bed.
"Happy Birthday Bella." I pulled the covers over my head and pretended I hadn't heard her. How did she know it was my birthday and how did she get in my room. Charlie was going to pay for this one.
"Go away Alice."
"But Bella don't you want your present?"
"I don't like presents, you shouldn't have got me one." She looked like she was going to cry, I didn't mean to upset her.
"I'm sorry Alice, but I hate getting presents."
She beamed at me and handed me the little pink sparkly box. I feigned interest, shaking and squeezing her gift as if I was trying to guess its contents. Now she was actually jumping up and down and clapping her hands together. I tore off the ribbon and swear I saw Alice wince. I opened the lid to find nothing but a piece of paper and a blindfold.
"Alice .. what?"
"Read it Bella."
I was seriously worried about Alice peeing herself on my bed she was so excited.
Bella, you are not going to school today.
Get dressed and get your arse outside.
"Alice what's going on."
"I can't tell you I'm afraid, you just have to trust us."
I groaned, I really disliked surprises. 30 minutes later I was in the front seat of Edwards car, blindfolded and crapping myself.
"Seriously guys, Charlies gonna kill me."
"Bella, we've already dealt with Charlie now can you please just follow instructions." I knew he was smiling I could tell by the way his voice went up the end. I wished I could see it but no I wasn't allowed to take my blindfold off, it was actually kind of kinky and I sort of liked it. Though Alice being in the car ruined it slightly.
We stopped and I could hear Alice trying to contain herself in the back. I heard them both get out and the sound of their feet crunching in gravel. My door opened and a hand too big to be Alices undid my seatbelt. I struggled to keep my breathing under control, Edward was touching me again. He scooped me up out of the car and put me gently on my feet.
"Can I take this off now?" He put his finger to my lips, silencing me. Oh great, I was blushing again. I could taste the nicotine on his finger and shamefully it excited me. I bit down hard on my lower lip.
They led me along the gravel path and up some steps, I didn't know where I was but I knew I'd never been here before. I didn't understand why I wasn't allowed to speak either.
"Now close your eyes Bella." He whispered in my ear and all the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I squeezed my eyes shut. I was good at following instructions. He removed by blindfold and I fought the urge to open my eyes.
"You can open them now Bella." Alice was giggling.
I opened one eye first to assess the scene it confused me. I still didn't know where we were. I knew we were in a house, but who's? Alice thrust another box at me. Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie entered the room laughing.
Bella, We're sorry.
We didn't really get you a present.
We just wanted to get you here to celebrate in style.
Then I smiled my biggest smile since I'd been in England.
"Most people would be pissed if they didn't get a birthday present."
"That is precisely the reason we didn't get her one Rosalie. Bella hates presents. We're just going to get her drunk instead." The pixie had my hand and was marching me over to the couch.
"Whose house is this anyway?" I took a swig of the beer Emmett gave me and tried to look as if it wasn't absolutely revolting.
"Technically it's mine. 17th Birthday present." Edward looked embarrassed.
"Yeah so now it's our party house." Emmett had Edward in a headlock.
"Not that it's much of a party." Rosalie was just being plain rude.
We sat around talking and drinking most of the day. According to Alice, Charlie thinks we're on a school trip and I'm staying with her. Suddenly Rosalie left the room with a huge smile on her face and came back carrying a silver tray. Everyone cheered and whooped, but I didn't understand what was happening until she pulled out a £20 note. I didn't know where to look. She began cutting lines on the tray. Rolling up the note between her fingers Emmett stroked her back. She angled the note under her nose as she leant towards the tray. I gulped and she snorted. She threw her head back and exhaled exposing her neck which Emmett began to plant kisses along before taking the note from her and repeating her actions. He passed to Jasper who passed to Alice who pushed the tray towards me. I could feel everyone's eyes burning into me. Did they really expect me to do it? I mean yes I'd been drinking but I still had my sense of rationality. I looked at the tray and then to Edward who had an almost pleading look in his eyes. I pushed it towards him and ran to the bathroom. I slumped against the wall hugging my knees. What the fuck had I let myself in for.
"Bella?" Edward was knocking on the door.
"Fuck off." He pushed the door open. Shit. I meant to lock that.
He knelt on the floor in front of me and held my chin. I looked into those beautiful green eyes.
"Bella, I'm sorry. Rosalie doesn't think sometimes. I guess she forgot you weren't like us."
I knocked his hand away from my face.
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean? I'm not like you. You think because I'm not fucking everything that moves I don't know how to have a good time!?"
"Bella I didn't mean.."
It was too late I was back in the other room with the note in my hand. Where did he get off judging me like that.
"Fuck you Edward Masen." I muttered before taking my share.
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I woke up in the back seat of Edwards car, my head in Alice's lap.
"Morning sleepyhead." Alice brushed the hair from my face. "How you feeling?"
"Nothing I won't survive."
I sat upright and saw him looking at me in the mirror. I wanted to hit him. I really wanted him to be in pain. Telling me I'm not like them. I know that thanks I told him the first day I met him. At the same time I wanted him to hold me and never let go. He was really affecting my sense of judgement.
"Morning Edward." He smiled back at me relief washed over his face.
"Bella, do you even remember last night?" Alice looked a little concerned.
"No and I'm not sure I want you to remind me. Its less painful if I just don't know." She arched an eyebrow at me.
"Alice, it's not the first time I've woken up and not remembered the night before. Just forget I did anything. Please. Oh and thank you for a great birthday." I reached up and kissed her on the cheek.
"Eyes on the road Edward." He flicked a V in our direction.
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Saturday came around really quickly. Alice had decided she was taking me shopping and I wasn't allowed to pay for anything, I was told to consider it a birthday present and not argue or she'd make me regret it. It wasn't until we got back to Charlie's that she decided to inform me Rosalie's parents were away and she was having a party tonight.
"Bella. You're going to have a shower then come back and sit in this chair. By which time I will have everything ready to make you a pricktease."
"No Alice, I really don't think that's necessary."
"Don't argue with me Bella. You know I always win."
She was right. She always was. Alice knew everything before everyone. I guess she was just gifted. Stupid little pixie freak. Several hours later I had been plucked and preened to perfection. I was a bit sore. Alice demanded I let her wax my bikini line, which by the way was the most fucking painful experience of my life. After a bottle of wine each we were ready.
Alice walked into Rosalie's house first to be greeted by a rather drunk Jasper who took her straight upstairs. I walked in staring at the floor, trying not to trip over anyone's feet. I had been forced into wearing a stupidly high pair of heels and I was dangerous. Alongside the death-trap feet I was wearing a tight purple mini dress that looked as if it was wrapped around me, my hair was huge and curly and I had black crap all over my eyes. I had to admit, Alice did a good job. I brushed my hair over to one side and looked up. Edward was staring, really staring. I looked behind me, when I realised there was nothing interesting behind me I felt the pink flush head to my cheeks but I couldn't stop myself from smiling. He was staring at me. I tried my best girly wave and bit my lip. I walked straight past him to the fridge and grabbed a beer, I opened it and downed half before turning to him.
"Hi."
"H..Hi Bella."
I smiled at him
"You look.... really .. nice."
I tried not to laugh, he was embarrassed?
"Thanks, you don't look to bad yourself."
I spent most of the night playing drinking games with Rosalie and Emmett and being avoided by Lauren and Jessica, who still had a nice purple eye, despite the immense amounts of make up she had slapped on. By the time Alice and Jasper returned It was safe to say I was fairly drunk. They both looked so pleased with themselves and it was making me feel sick so I went outside. Edward tapped the seat of the bench he was sitting on. I walked over to him fairly wobbly though I'm sure he didn't notice, he was far too busy staring at my legs. I had to remember to thank my parents for those. I took another swig of my cider and sat down. He pulled out a cigarette and I took it for myself.
"Bella? You dont.."
I delved into his pocket for his lighter and I swear I saw him jump. I'd only smoked once before so it still gave me that lightheaded feeling, which I didn't mind. He watched me take a drag and then lit his own. We watched Emmett and Rosalie fighting and laughed when she pushed him in the pool. It was normal for them to argue and he seemed to enjoy it because he pulled her in after and they quickly made up.
"I'm going to get another drink, you want one?"
"Bella?"
I turned to face him, brushing my fringe out of my eyes.
"Mmhm?"
"I .. um .. fuck it you're beautiful."
I was a little shocked to say the least. Edward Masen was calling me beautiful? Had he looked in a mirror, seen that chiselled jaw, the oh-so-perfect bed-head, seen that crooked smile that made me weak in the knees. Even without all that had he not seen those fucking green eyes?
"Um, thanks?"
"I mean, you're not just beautiful, you're smart and funny and you're so cute when you blush and I really fucking like you."
"You're just drunk."
"I've hardly drunk anything Bella." He took my face in his hands and I felt my stomach clench. Looking into my eyes he stroked my cheek. I leaned into him taking his lower lip between mine. He kissed me back roughly, biting my lip. I let out a little moan and he pulled away, smiled at me and left.
