A/N: I'm lovin' all the reviews, alerts added, etc. from you guys. You make my day!

Usual disclaimer applies.

March, 2012

~34~

Washing my hands in the bathroom sink, I look around when I hear the door open.

It's Bree Tanner.

Out of all the East-Enders, she has got to be the friendliest, albeit fairly clueless. When the "Let's-Hate-Bella" wagon started this year, Bree refused to jump on board, electing to remain safely on the sidelines. That's not to say she hasn't helped me out at all.

Back in September, when my clothing had been flushed in the toilet sometime during P.E., Bree had let me wear the extra shirt she always kept in her locker.

Or last semester, when I had Chemistry with Bree, she agreed to be my lab partner.

It reminds me that there are still good people in this town, specifically on the East side.

"Hi Bella!" She smiles, looking at me through the mirror. I doubt even Bree would greet me with such enthusiasm if there was another soul present.

"Hey," I answer and then take a deep breath before asking, "You were at Jessica Stanley's party last September, right?"

I try for nonchalance.

"Yeah… for a little while." Her eyes suddenly don't meet mine in the mirror.

"Did you see me there?"

"Why?" She is picking at her fingernails, hiding her eyes from mine.

"I just want to know. My memory is a little fuzzy from that night."

"Umm, maybe that's a good thing." Bree looks at me then, her nose crinkled and her lips pulling into a smile, like it's some joke.

I wish I could be that oblivious.

"So you did see me there."

"For like a second," she clarifies, "I was with Riley and we were just leaving."

I raise my eyebrows at her in a silent question.

"You were on a lawn chair and there was a crowd around you. I think they were doing body shots off of you, and feeding you shots."

Shit.

"Can you tell me who was doing it? Who was around me?"

"Bella, I wasn't anywhere close, but I could see Tyler Crowley and Lee Stephens for sure. But really, that's all I can tell you. We left then."

I nod my head, silently thanking her for her help.

Bree looks from me to herself in the mirror and, fixing a piece of blond hair before checking her teeth, she turns to leave. Just before reaching the door, she turns to me again.

"Bella, a word of advice. You got to let it go. So you had an alcohol-related embarrassing moment, it happens to everyone."

She gives me a smile before exiting the room, proud of her sage advice.

I let it go. Bree can be as blind as she wants to be. At least she gets through high school with a smile on her face. It's more than I can say for myself.

Besides, because of her help, I now know who to talk to next.