Tripping The Prom Queen

Author's Note: Finally! Here's chapter 3. And a really looong one too!

Special thanks as always to those who reviewed: itsjadee, RoseCullen09, madtwilighter and werewolvesgirl. Please keep the comments coming… we are about to head into some interesting territory now… and it really inspires and helps me to know what you all think!

Chapter 3: Birthday, Part 1

The rain continued uninhibited for the next three days. The weather, combined with her sprained ankle provided Bella with a foolproof excuse to isolate herself at home. As usual, Charlie was oblivious and easily accepted Bella's claim that she was in far too much pain to walk.

"Sure, kid" he easily agreed. "Rosalie will bring you your homework."

Yeah, right! Bella thought sarcastically.

Missing school work comprised the least of her concerns. Bella had tried to make things right with Rosalie, which was proving impossible to do since she had absolutely no idea what the problem was, let alone how to fix it. She phoned her several times, but Rose never answered.

She knows it's me. She has caller ID!

Bella then switched tactics. She snuck Charlie's phone one night and used it to make the call. Her heart leapt hopefully when she heard Rosalie's familiar ring tone, Lady Gaga's "Poker Face", and then heard her even more familiar voice.

"Hello?"

"Rose, hi! It's…"

Click!

Their connection broke. Bella sat motionlessly, listening to the dial tone and plotting her next move.

Determined, she walked upstairs to her room and booted up her computer. She tapped her fingers impatiently as it wheezed to life. Finally, her email program activated. Bella sat for almost an hour, carefully choosing her words for this most important message.

To: QueenBeeRosalie

From: SwansSong

Subject: ?

Rosalie, I know you're mad at me. I don't know why. You won't talk to me or return my phone calls. I'm really hoping that you'll answer this email, because I'd like to work this out. We've been friends for a long time. I don't want to lose that. I don't want to lose you.

If I did anything to upset you, I'm really sorry.

Can't we please talk this out? Please call me.

Bella

However, this email, like the phone calls went unreturned. Bella knew then that it was time to give up. Rosalie had clearly moved on.

I need to do the same thing.

After two days at home, Bella knew she needed to get back to school. With trepidation, she set out, unsure of what her reception would now be, or what she would find there.

Arriving at Forks' High, she sunk down in her seat in English class, pointedly avoiding looking at Rosalie or her cheerleader posse.

Maybe they'll just ignore me…

However, Victoria approached her.

"Hey, Bella!" she taunted. "I heard those phone messages you left for Rosalie. Read the email too! You're an even bigger loser than we thought! Desperate, much!"

Bella did not respond.

I can't stop her. If I say anything, it will only get worse! When is class gonna start?

"Why not just take out a personal ad!" Victoria continued mockingly. "Pathetic female seeks companionship! Maybe you could pay someone to be your friend!"

"Oh, wait. You can't. You're too poor!"

Victoria had drawn blood. Bella's face reddened and she finally snapped.

That's it! It's on!

Bella jumped up, prepared to lunge at Victoria. Before she could move, the bell clanged and their teacher, Mr. Mason strolled in.

"Good morning, everyone." he said casually, noticing Bella and Victoria eyeing each other murderously.

"Ladies, is there a problem here?"

"No, sir. Not at all!" Victoria oozed, flashing her professionally whitened teeth.

"No" Bella echoed, far less convincingly.

"Then take your seats."

Bella's day proved endless. While she managed to avoid any more confrontations with Rosalie's clique, she felt lonely and extremely self-conscious.

"People are talking about me. They are staring at me everywhere I go! They're laughing."

"It's in my head. Right!"

However, she couldn't be sure of that. The next day, Friday, passed in the same manner. For the first time ever, Bella was actually glad to be heading towards the gym. While she hated it, physical education was her last class of the week, and she couldn't wait for it to be over.

The perfect ending for a lousy week!

Today's class was better than usual. Bella told the teacher that her ankle still bothered her and she was excused. Sitting up in the bleachers, she opened a book… and counted the minutes.

Another half-hour and I'm outta here!

However, her relief soon turned to bitterness as she contemplated her weekend.

"Tomorrow is… We were going to…"

"Whatever! It doesn't matter! I would have hated it, anyway! I always do!"

Her ruminations continued along those lines until the period- and the day- ended. The other students burst out of the school, quickly vacating it. Bella lagged behind. Her red truck was the only vehicle remaining in the parking lot. As she approached it, she quickly noted something strange. Scratches marred its body.

What the…Someone keyed my truck!

Bella carefully examined every inch of the vehicle and found even more damage.

Four flat tires… someone let the air out!

Furious, she whipped out her cell phone to dial the local garage.

"No service! Great!" she yelled.

"Can I help you" a melodic voice sang out.

Bella turned. Right in front of her, stood a girl who had seemingly materialized out of thin air. She was a tiny sprite, no more than five feet tall. Her short spiky black hair exploded in all directions, haloing and contrasting with her elfin face. However, that face conveyed genuine concern.

She held out a shinny silver phone.

"You can use this. If you want."

"Thanks" Bella said, reaching for it.

"Bad week, huh?"

"The worst!" Bella replied, surprising herself. She usually was shy and very private, not one to vocalize her emotions, especially to total strangers.

Her eyes locked on the other girl's, who smiled

"You're Bella Swan, aren't you?" she asked. "I'm Alice. Alice Brandon. I'm in your English, History and Advanced Biology classes."

"Yes." Bella's responded politely. She had never noticed Alice before and now wondered why.

She's not someone you could overlook.

"I just moved here from Seattle." Alice explained, anticipating Bella's question.

"Oh." she replied uncomfortably, not sure what to say next.

Alice easily smoothed over the awkwardness.

"Are you going to call someone?"

"Unless you've got four tires… and know how to put them on?"

"No way!" Alice laughed. "I prefer to have those things done for me. Preferably by hot guys!"

"Well, I don't see any of those around!'

"Too bad!" Alice pouted and both girls laughed.

Bella phoned the local garage and explained the situation.

"We'll be there in five minutes" the man at the other end responded

I know that voice…but can't place it… Who it it?

"Great" Bella said, ending the call.

"Great!" she repeated, now angrily.

"What's wrong?" Alice asked.

"This is going to cost a fortune!"

"Don't worry." the other girl said soothingly. "I know things are going to work out!"

"How can you know that?" Bella snapped. "Can you see the future?"

"Maybe…" Alice smiled mysteriously. "And I know something else. I know we are going to be great friends."

"Maybe…" Bella's voice drifted off, as she struggled with conflicting emotions.

That would be nice… I'm definitely friend-challenged right now! But who is this girl? Can I really trust her? Can I trust anyone?

Why would she even want to be my friend? I'm such a reject… Such a mess right now.

Alice stood beside her silently, not intruding on Bella's thoughts. She sensed what was going on in her mind right now, not because of any precognition of her own, but from deciphering the looks on Bella's face.

A horn blared, shattering the silence and demanding their immediate attention. A black tow-truck, clearly a few years old, but in pristine condition then pulled up next to them. Its' window slid down and a black-haired boy stuck his head out.

"Hey, Bells!"

"Jacob?"

"Took you long enough to recognize me." he teased, smoothly jumping out of the vehicle.

"I didn't know you worked at the garage." Bella answered apologetically.

"Just started there this summer." Jacob said. "Lucky for you!"

"I guess it's been a while since we talked, huh?"

"Yes" Bella watched as he rolled the new tires off the tow truck and began working on her own.

"We haven't really talked for years… Not since I was 13. He's certainly changed…"

Alice was openly ogling Jacob. His bronzed muscles flexed as he removed the damaged tires and put on the new ones.

"Hot!" Alice whispered.

"Looks like you got your wish." Bella replied

"Who is he?"

"Alice this is Jacob Black." Bella introduced. "Jacob, this is Alice Brandon."

"How do you two know each other?" Alice asked.

"Our fathers are good friends." Bella replied, then turned to Jacob.

"But I haven't seen you in how long?"

"A while…" he replied, fighting the anger that threatened to creep into his voice. He knew exactly how long it had been. Casually, he lifted his shirt and wiped his glistening face, revealing perfect washboard abs.

"I guess you've been busy with those friends of yours." Jacob continued wistfully. "That blonde one. What was her name?"

"You know her name."

"Barbie?"

"Rosalie!" Bella snorted.

"There's a difference?" Jake asked scornfully, and returned to his work.

"They don't get along, do they?" Alice stated the obvious.

"No" Bella answered, drifting back in time to when Jake and Rosalie met.

Bella stood in front of her full- length mirror. Nervously, she picked the lint of her new midnight blue sweater, willing her heart to stop pounding. The sweater, and the matching skirt she wore were birthday gifts from her father, but selected by Rosalie.

"It's about time you looked like a girl!" Rosalie said bluntly, watching Bella open the packages on the morning of her thirteenth birthday.

As pretty as the outfit was, Bella still felt very uncomfortable. Rosalie insisted that she wear it now, for the party that had also been her best friend's idea.

"Just a few people. Strictly A-list!" Rosalie cajoled.

As always, Rosalie persuaded her. Now the guests were arriving at Bella's house. After giving her a brief, perfunctory birthday greeting, they headed into the living room where music pulsated invitingly. When Bella finally entered the room, couples had already paired off and were dancing. She sat on the comfy maroon couch, content to watch as Rose danced with her new crush, Emmett McCarty. He was their school's star athlete and easily the most popular boy in their class.

Fifteen minutes later, the doorbell rang again.

"Who the hell is that?" Rosalie demanded. "Everyone we invited is already here."

Everyone you invited… Bella thought, hurrying to let the last guest in.

"Happy Birthday, Bells!" an energetic voice called.

"Jacob!" Bella squealed, hugging her childhood friend. "I'm so glad you're here!"

"I wouldn't miss this for anything!" Jacob proclaimed. "So, where's this party?"

"In here"

Heads turned as Bella led Jacob into the living room. One by one, the other kids stopped dancing to stare at this new arrival.

"Who's your friend, Bella?" Rosalie asked icily.

"Jacob Black. Jake, this is Rosalie Hale."

Bella had been looking forward to having her two best friends finally meet. A native American, Jacob did not attend their school, but the one on the Quileute reservation where he lived.

"I've seen you around Forks." he said warmly to Rose.

"I've never noticed you." she replied with her trademark candor.

"Jacob's father is my father's best friend." Bella explained.

"I see."

"Hey, Bella!" Lauren Mallory, who rarely deigned to notice Bella, now asked "Is this your boyfriend?"

"No" Bella said, blushing.

"Of course he isn't!" Rosalie immediately defended her.

Thanks! Bella thought gratefully.

However, her relief was short-lived.

"Bella would never date him!" Rose asserted confidently. "Just look at him! What a dog!"

The other guests all started laughing. Bella looked at Jacob. It was as if she was seeing him for the first time. She noted the long stringy dark hair, and the way his slightly too-small and shabby clothes hung on his skinny body.

"Yeah!" Lauren agreed, never missing an opportunity to suck up to Rose… especially if it meant putting someone else down.

"Come on! Let's dance!" Rose said.

She turned up the music and pulled a willing Emmett back onto the makeshift dance floor. Everyone but Bella and Jacob followed her. The pair drifted out to the front porch, not knowing what to say to each other.

"I'm sorry…" Bella finally stammered, knowing her words were woefully inadequate.

"It wasn't you." Jacob said.

"No, but…"

I didn't stop her… I couldn't! she thought guiltily.

"Your friend is just a total bitch!" Jacob exploded, struggling to contain himself.

"Rose isn't like that!" Bella replied defensively.

"No? How else do you explain this?"

"I…"

"Bella, I get it!" Jacob said with finality. "Even if you don't!"

"It's better if I just go now."

"You don't have to leave." Bella protested weakly.

"Yes, I do." he said stiffly. "See you around."

She watched in disbelief as he jumped on his bike and drove off.

We haven't really talked since then. We never discussed it. Bella thought now, refocusing on the present.

Things sure have changed…

His once long unkempt hair was now shorn and perfectly framed his face. His emaciated body was now perfectly chiseled.

He's… sort of beautiful.

Alice certainly seemed to think so. Her appreciation was obvious, as she just watched him, silent, but wide-eyed.

Jacob appeared oblivious to the female admiration. He quickly finished his work on the truck.

"All done, Bells!"

"How much?"

"$200. Just to cover the tires. The labor is free."

"Jacob, I can't let you do that."

"Sure you can." he replied easily. "Consider it a birthday present."

"Oh, is it your birthday, Bella?" Alice clapped her hands excitedly.

"No" Bella blushed.

"Tomorrow. September 13th" Jacob informed.

"Jacob!" the birthday girl protested.

"See you later!" he called out innocently, jumping back into his truck and speeding away.

"So hot!" Alice squealed.

"I guess…" Bella replied, feeling shy again.

"I've got to go."

"I'll see you later!" Alice called out cheerfully, as the other girl drove away.

Yes. You definitely will see me later.

The perfect plan crystallized in Alice's head. Like all of her ideas, it would not be denied.

Tomorrow night! We'll begin...