AN: Hey, guys. Got some news! We now have a banner for this story (link on my profile) made by my wondergirl fanpire.x :D I lovvvvvve it! Also, because FFN is starting to get picky about lemony content, I posted up all of my Twilight stories on The Writer's Coffee Shop. Now, if this fic has to be taken down, you can still read it over on the other site ;]

Oh! And pretty please with a cherry on top don't hate me after you've read this chappy! Don't forget to review XD

Disclaimer: I own a mug of hot tea and some chocolate biscuits, but not Twilight.

January 15th 2005

Bella smoothed down her brown top, smiling at her reflection widely. The shirt was new, its material soft and light against her skin. She had bought it just the other day specifically for her date tonight. Angela had helped her pick it out, along with some new jeans that clung to her thighs and calves. Her smile wavered for just a second when she glanced at her worn white flats. They were old and tattered, somewhat losing their colour, but she and Angela hadn't been able to find any new shoes for her.

An old jean jacket hung on the back of her desk chair, waiting to be thrown on as she twirled unsteadily in front of her mirror. The finished product wasn't too bad, she decided; satisfied that she didn't look awful. Her mouth shone with the glossy lip balm she'd applied, her lashes a hint darker from a dash of mascara. Bella wasn't a lover of makeup but her lips had been chapped recently and whilst buying new lip balm her eyes caught on the mascara tube. Angela said it might bring out her eyes more too.

She picked up her brush and weaved it through her hair, making sure all knots were gone, before fitting a white headband into place. It kept most of her hair out the way, but wisps of her fringe still dangled down relentlessly.

Sitting down in her desk chair she looked at the clock. She still had just under an hour before her date arrived. She had calculated that she'd be ready to go with roughly twenty minutes to spare, but she hadn't counted on Emmett using up nearly all the hot water, leaving her to duck out of the water spray when it ran cold. Her hands were shaking, whether from nerves or excitement she wasn't sure. She had never been on a date before; this feeling was new to her.

The whole reason for agreeing to the date was still fresh in her mind. Being so close to her brother three days ago – sleeping beside him, cuddled up to his warm figure, in his bed that smelled just like him – had been a cross between torture and contentment. She had felt so happy in his loving embrace, so safe, but her mind constantly told her harsh snippets of truth; that he didn't return her feelings, that he would be disgusted to know she had them, that he might pity her but would eventually still throw her away if he knew.

Despite not originally looking forward to the date though, she found herself eager to please the guy who'd summed up some courage and stuttered out a quick, "Do you want to go out on Saturday – with me, I mean?" Bella hoped that her appearance would please him, that she would impress him and make him laugh. That she would be good company on a date.

With no previous experience in this particular field, she had almost caved under the anxiety and asked Renée for advice. That idea quickly went out the window though when her mother skipped into her room, holding out a short black dress, beaming and gushing about how she'd seen it in the mall and thought of her daughter. Bella shook her head, sighing. Her own mother didn't know her very well at all. She'd feared that by telling Renée about her date it would lead to her mother dressing her up like one of the twits at school.

Phil would be no help in this area either, she knew – it wasn't like she really felt all that comfortable enough around the man to talk to him alone anyway, much less about dating. She knew from countless sleepovers that Angela hadn't dated anyone, so her best friend was no help too. Her last option had been, of course, Emmett.

Bella scoffed to herself, slipping on her jean jacket. She hadn't told her brother about the date. The first time she talked about her crush on a sweet boy in school he had gone on a rampage, threatening every male around her to never so much as touch her. She had been ten. She had learnt from that mistake.

The sound of the doorbell made her jump and run as fast as she could downstairs without injuring herself. She swung open the front door after quickly checking her appearance in the hallway mirror, a bright smile on her face, her heart pounding from the rush of her first date.

But it wasn't the boy who stuttered that stood outside. Her face fell quickly, her eyes glued to the girl standing on her doormat.

She had long blonde hair that flowed down her back in pretty waves, and her painted nails tapped impatiently on her folded arms. One hip jutted out, her small skirt stretched to accommodate her slightly spread legs. Her skin was flawless and the palest of pale, her cheeks tinted a delicate pink, her lips blood red and puckered. She had eyes that popped against the colour of her skimpy shirt, the orbs almost purple as they suddenly shot to look at Bella. She was absolutely breathtaking.

It seemed to be an illusion though, for when the blonde opened her mouth, only sharp, icy tones of superiority came out.

"And you are?"

She felt so small under her gaze, wanting to shrink into the walls just to escape it. She mumbled, "Bella."

The blonde smirked nastily. "Lovely, whatever. I don't really care." She flipped her hair. "Is Emmett ready yet?"

Bella felt the floor slip away from her feet. It felt like she was flying, suspended in the air, but she knew she was only frozen in place as she stared at the visitor. Her heart constricted and thumped heavily, her brain fogged up and her eyes blurred. She vaguely registered her lips moving. "Ready for what?"

The girl looked up from her nails, her expression screaming that she thought Bella to be unintelligent.

"For our date, loser."