A/n: Mmm.

Disclaimer: Not mine. Not mine at all.

Chapter 3

Bella POV

"Rose, there is absolutely no way in hell I can wear this shit!" I yelled at my best, and only, girlfriend, first thing in the morning.

"You can wear those, Bella, or you can go naked!" her forceful reply came through the door, and I sighed heavily.

I'd ended up stuck at her flat with nothing to wear through shear bad luck. My truck hadn't started last night, and I'd called her up to come and collect me; since I'd already bothered Jacob once that week. She'd decided that it was a fabulous time to introduce me to her new squeeze; Emmett. So I'd gone there for dinner, and ended up staying the nice, since she refused to drive me home.

I'm not going outside in that weather Bella! she'd told me. My hair will be ruined!

Of course, a downpour had started as soon as Emmett had left; leaving me with no ride back home.

Rose had…I hesitate to say kindly, supplied me with some of her smaller clothes, which would fit me. Unfortunately, her clothes were a little less than modest.

Sighing, I finally gave in, realising that I would need to get to work soon, and there truly was nothing else I could wear. I pulled on the short, tight black skirt, and the tiny black jumper which clung to my every - almost non-existent - curve.

I'd shoved on my bra, but had decided to forgo any panties; seeing as that would mean wearing a dirty pair of boy shorts. The idea did not bode well with me. So I decided that natures way was obviously the best way.

There was no way I was borrowing any of Rose's lacy scraps that she called 'knickers'.

When I was changed, I pulled on my trainers, thanking god that they were black, to match the outfit; and hoped that I didn't look too stupid. I'd also managed to lose my hair band the night before, so now my hair was hanging down over my shoulders, and annoying me by getting in my face.

I resolved to have it cut, in revenge.

When I stepped out of the room, Rose looked me up and down and smiled at me.

"Gorgeous", she told me, "except for the trainers, of course. You really need to get some nicer clothes, Bella, you always look so nice when you're wearing things that actually fit."

I ignored her and made my way outside to her car. Rose always liked to tell me that I'd be beautiful if I put my mind to it. I'd never believed her. Rose was a walking, talking Barbie doll; it was obvious that she was only taking pity on me.

I loved her though, she was the first true friend I'd ever made on my own, and I wouldn't trade her for the world.

We chattered about Emmett during the journey to work, and it appeared to me that she was head over heels for the man. I was pleased. Emmett seemed like a great guy, and Rose deserved somebody to love. She'd not had a brilliant past with men; but perhaps this was her reward for sticking with the dating scene through the good and the bad.

Plus, it'd be nice to have a new friend like Emmett, who seemed almost ridiculously funny and happy. Maybe he could even introduce me to a gorgeous friend? Someone to take my mind off Edward for a while…

…I wished.

I thanked Rose when I got out of the car, and walked into Rose. I would phone Jake during my lunch break, and ask him to come down and help out my poor truck. I wondered whether it'd be best just to buy a new car…but I didn't really want to part with my 'baby'. We'd had some great memories.

I'd written my first best seller in her cab, during lunch times, when I had no friends to sit with after Rose dropped out of school in favour of taking over her father's car dealership when he passed away. Rose had always loved cars. If she wasn't so busy, I'd have asked her to deal with my truck. But Jake was a great second choice, and he always loved to work on her. The truck had even been bought off his father for me by Charlie.

Since the shop wouldn't open for another hour, I began stacking books while I waited for customers. It proved extremely awkward whilst I was wearing such a ridiculous skirt. Though the jumper was really quite…comfortable.

Not that I would ever admit that to Rose.

Though…maybe it was time to get a change in look. I'd worn the same sorts of clothes since…well…forever? I'd favoured comfort over fashion, but I supposed that it was getting a bit out of hand now. Some of my everyday clothes were more suited to pyjamas and house clothes after all. I sighed. Maybe I'd get Rose to take me shopping when I got out of work. It was late night shopping in Port Angeles Mall on Tuesdays, and I did finish early today, at four, as opposed to seven, when my days usually lasted 'till.

Yeah, I decided, I'd call Rose at lunch, after I called Jacob.

I bent down to grab another handful of books, and chuckled as I realised they were mine. I dropped one whilst I shook, and reached over to grab it. As I straightened up, I heard an intake of breath, and whirled around to see who was behind me.

Unfortunately, I'd never been graceful, and ended up falling down on my backside, the books spilling around me. I blushed tomato red, and looked up to meet a pair of bright, green eyes.

Shit.

Blushing redder I suddenly realised how I'd fallen down, and what I was wearing, and I snapped my legs together, to try and maintain some modesty. Edward's eyes were wide.

"Uh, hi, E-Edward", I managed to stutter out.

"Isabella", he breathed back at me. His voice was different from usual. The distance was gone.

Maybe he…?

I watched as he walked towards me, and held out his hand. I took it, and he pulled me to my feet, with a tight smile. Then he helped me collect up the books I'd dropped.

We stacked them on the shelves together in silence.

"Thank you", I whispered quietly when we were done.

"No problem", he muttered back. Then he walked away.

What the hell?

A/n: Mmm. Review?