It had been a week since Bella Swan relocated to Louisiana to live with her grandmother and cousin. She was no longer an utter zombie but she still wasn't happy. She spent most of her time with her grandmother helping around the house. However, she was only allowed to do so much. Her gran and Sookie spent so much time doting on her, wanting her to cheer up. She read a lot and spent time sunbathing. God, she had missed the sun. She maintained her fair skin but it altered a little to not look so ghostly or sickly any longer. Her hair also lightened a little thanks to her prolonged sun exposure. Bella still looked nothing like a Stackhouse with blood heads, tanned skin, she had too much of Charlie in her. Sookie could tan like a pro.

She was sitting on her bed contently reading Emma when suddenly a blond bubble of enthusiasm bounced on her bed.

"C'mon Bella. We're goin' out" Sookie said firmly.

"and where exactly are we going?" Bella asked skeptically. She didn't like going out much. She much preferred the indoors. Especially in Bon Temps.

"Shopping. We're going to get you a killer outfit and doll you up and then your coming to Merlotte's for a night. You need to get out" She told her while standing and then locating some shoes in Bella's wardrobe and throwing them at her to put on.

"Sook..." She tried to explain that she had no desire so socialise with anybody.

"No. don't you Sook me, young lady. Your coming with me whether you like it or not" Her cousin halted and looked at her with a grim expression marring her lovely features with her hand on her hip. No one could stop Sookie Stackhouse once she was determined. Man, she had forgotten how bossy her cousin could be.

Bella nodded and rose reluctantly, knowing a fight with Sookie was not worth it. Sookie looked on with approval.

"Besides" Sookie added lightly, "Bill will be there. He's wanting to get to know you better" She finished with enthusiasm. Bella groaned internally, she didn't get good vibes from Bill. He seemed too interested in her. Not in a romantic way, almost in an assessing way. He tried too hard to get her to like him. He didn't seem very genuine and something about him made Bella uncomfortable.

Bella got dressed and was literally dragged out the house by the telepath. Her own grandmother did not even stop Sookie from practically kidnapping her. She just replied with a 'have fun dears'. Family, honestly.

The next hours were spent being dragged around Shreveport mall. Nothing was bought yet, however. Fortunately for Bella, Sookie asked what she liked instead of dressing her up like Barbie. She shuddered to remember her times with Alice Cullen. That was the one thing she was thankful for. Unfortunately, Bella's tastes were more casual and Sookie wanted Bella to wear something 'killer' that would show off her 'hot bod'. Whatever that meant. Sookie could be so strange sometimes.

"Okay, this is the last shop. You need to find something here Bella. Just have a look around. Please?" Sookie practically begged, looking at her cousin with big doe eyes. Bella sighed and smiled hesitantly. She knew Sookie was just trying to help so Bella just went along with it.

"Sure thing Sook" She smiled, attempting to make an effort. Sookie grinned hugely back at her before walking away leaving Bella all alone in the store.

Bella halfheartedly riffled through some clothes around until she saw it. It was beautiful. She had never seen anything like it. It was an off the shoulder lace dress that came in at the waist and then flared out slightly. It was an enchanting silver colour with almost a blue undertone. It seemed to shimmer almost. It was long and elegant but maintained a casual appeal as it covered so much skin and besides the unique material could be your average summer dress. She sat staring at the dress in awe.

Sookie noticed her fascination. She grabbed it in her size and took Bella's hand and dragged her to the dressing rIt's.

"Its perfect! try it on and see how it looks!" Sookie said excitedly. She was practically vibrating with delight.

"Uhh.. I don't think that dress is really me Sookie..." She tried to explain. That dress was something you would see on something that was polished and stunning. Maybe in a photograph they appeared so perfect. It wouldn't suit someone like her.

"Nonsense. You like it don't you?" She asked as they reached the changing rooms and took her bad from her.

"Well, yeah but..." She began to explain only to be cut off.

"-Then nothing. Try it on" She was practically shoved her into the dressing room and Sookie decidedly closed the curtain behind her, "Your not coming out till you've tried it on" Her cousin said. Bella thought that they seriously needed to have a discussion about boundary issues.

Bella slowly tried the dress on keeping her eye averted from the many mirrors in the small room. She managed to zip it up from the back, rather awkwardly. Bracing herself, she took a peek at herself. Bella stared at herself in the full-length mirror. She froze.

"Bella, you alright in there?" Sookie asked worriedly, shifting from side to side on the other side of the changing room. Bella had been in there an awful long time she thought.

"F-fine Sook. The dress doesn't fit right. I-i'm just going to change back" She stuttered weakly. Bella was an utter fool to think she could pull this dress off. She started trying to jerk it down.

"Bella? I'm coming in" Sookie's voice said abruptly.

Bella tried in vain to cover herself. She didn't want Sookie to see her like this. She looked idiotic.

Sookie pulled the curtain open and looked at her cousin. She gaped. Her little cousin didn't look so little anymore. She... looked like a woman. The dress fully covered her bosom but emphasised her pert little breasts, not as big as Sookie's but firmer. The dress came in at her waist, accentuating her curves and ended at her knee's. It made her look very curvy and yet still innocent. If innocently sexy was a thing then it would be Bella. Sookie always thought the curvaceous form the Stackhouse woman were given skipped a generation with Bella but clearly, she had just been holding out.

"I know, I know, I look ridiculous. Help me get this off. Please" Bella said, her voice throaty from the tears she was trying to stop. In the last year she lost weight to an unhealthy level, then when she gained it back she didn't go back to the gangly teen she had been, no she gained big hips, rounded breasts and a rounder bottom. She was ashamed. No matter how hard she tried to loose the weight it didn't go away. Her curves and ass just seemed to get more pronounced. It wouldn't go away.

"No Bella, don't, you look beautiful. Keep the dress. It's on me. You have to wear this tonight!" Sookie breathed. Bella looked at her cousin for a moment considering for the first time if the townsfolk were right and she actually might be crazy.

"No, I look chubby and awkward. Look at me? How can I ever be considered beautiful" She whispered with her head hanging in shame.

Sookie was startled. Bella thought herself ugly? How could she even think such a silly thing? She looked different from Sookie but no less beautiful. Her beauty was almost ethereal. Her long wavy gorgeous brown locks, her beautiful big brown eyes and sweet pouty lips. Sookie was not biased. All the boys in town adored her but were too nervous to approach her. Not that any of them were good enough for her little cus.

"Oh honey, why do you think that? I think your beautiful" Sookie gently told her cousin bringing her in for a hug.

Bella sniffled, "Its the truth. I don't want to wear this. I'll just look silly" Bella sagged in her cousin's arms in comfort. She was never shy showing affection to Sookie.

"No, Bells, I promise you don' look silly. You look gorgeous! All the boys will be falling all over each other to get to you! D'ya trust me?"

"Of course" Bella mumbled into her cousins shoulder.

"Wear this tonight. Ah promise you look amazing. Go out with me tonight and let me show you". Sookie hoped she could help her cousin with her self-esteem issues. Bella really didn't want to but she had to make an effort. For her family.

"Okay, Sook. I'll get it but only if I'm paying" Bella explained. At least she was only going to be at Merlottes, only the townspeople will be there to see her looking so ridiculous. At best they will feel pity for the plain girl trying to look pretty. At worst they will laugh and scorn her and she will be humiliated; luckily she was used to it.

They arrived home to gran setting out lunch for the girls.

"Hello dears, how did the shopping trip go?" She inquired politely while setting out plates on the table. It was a big southern fry and Bella was not surprised in the least.

Bella and Sookie obediently walked over to the kitchen table and sat down. After serving Adele sat down and watched her two grandbabies eat with a satisfied smile on her face.

"Oh great gran. We got Bella this beautiful dress and for the rest of the day we can primp and help Bella beauty up for going out tonight" Sookie explained enthusiastically, all while grinning like a loon.

Her gran looked satisfied, "Oh that's wonderful Bella dear. I'm glad your getting out more, you know. It's good every now and then to clean yourself up and be treated like a lady, such as yourself" She smiled at her youngest granddaughter.

Bella carefully observed both gran and Sookie and realised how much she must have worried them. They both seemed hopeful and happy for her but also tense as if bracing for her to refuse. Bella couldn't she knew. She could deny her family nothing. She had a problem, in general, telling people 'no'.

"Yeah, I can't wait" She smiled at her gran trying to seem excited. She doesn't think she fooled them as she saw Sookie and Adele exchange looks from the corner of her eye.

Quickly finishing off her delicious lunch, Bella grabbed her plates and walked over to the sink to start washing the dishes.

"Oh no you don't! That's my job. Now you march your sweet little tush to your bedroom and have yourself a nice hot bath" Adele walked over with a stern yet loving look crossing her features. Bella sighed, 'why am I never allowed to do any work around here? I'm going to go crazy if I don't find something to do soon' Bella thought wearily. Didn't they know she liked to be kept busy and not just sit and think?

She slowly trudged to her bedroom and into the on-suite bathroom where she poured a generous amount of bubble bath before starting the tab. She sat on the edge of the tub lost in thought until she heard someone speak behind her.

"You know we are just trying to help, right Bells?" Sookie said nervously from behind her.

"Yeah I know but I don't know if I can be helped" Bella whispered back

"Oh Hon" Sookie entered grabbed her and shoved her into her chest to try and comfort her little cousin. Sookie and Bella had always been like sisters or even closer than that. Best friends, since Bella was always too shy and Sookie couldn't read her mind they were almost joined at the hip growing up. Until Bella moved away when she was eight with her mother and even then Sookie and Bella constantly talked on the phone. They always felt a strange comfort being near one another that no one else could ease. It felt like home and family.

Bella began sobbing quietly into Sookie's chest while being gently rocked back and forth. She couldn't think or move, she made the mistake or thinking about her past and now she couldn't forget.

Sookie saw the bath was getting rather full and gently untangled herself from Bella to turn the hot tap off and turn on the cold. She stood Bella up and delicately began stripping her of clothes.

Bella didn't even notice being undressed and only realised what was happening when she felt herself being lead to stand in the tub of warm soothing water. She was guided to lean back and closed her eyes trying to relax.

Sookie looked at Bella's face and had never seen such pain before. What had happened to her?

"Bella, sweetie, if it's too much to ask then don't answer but are you ready to talk about whatever happened? I can tell your in pain and trying to hide it. I know it was a lot worse before you came here, what is so bad that its hurt you this much?" Sookie asked quietly, not trying to spook Bella.

Bella remained quiet for a couple moments. Sookie grabbed a shampoo bottle and began lathering Bella's hair. Just when Sookie thought she wasn't going to get an answer Bella replied,

"I was young and foolish. I fell in love and he... he left me" Bella whispered with her eyes closed.

"Who?" Sookie nudged soothingly.

"His-his name was Edward Cullen and he was a vampire" Continued Bella.

Sookie was shocked. Bella dated a vampire?

"Wha-"

"Shhh, don't, I don't know if I can get through this, just please wait. If you want to ask me anything wait till I'm finished, deal?" Bella asked hesitantly, not sure if even then she could get through this.

Sookie pushed Bella back to gently rinse the suds from her hair. When she rose again she took a deep breath and began.

"First you should know that although Edward's a Vampire he is a different type. He is called a Cold one. They are different from night-walking vampires in that they can be out during the day but not exposed to sunlight or their skin will sparkle. They don't need to sleep at all. Also, Edward and his family drank animal blood instead of human blood. I don't know if they could have drunk that synthetic blood stuff, I never got a chance to ask. I fell in love with Edward and quickly became part of his family. He was amazing, so smart, beautiful, charming, absolutely perfect and his family were so sweet to me. They made me feel like you gran and Jason do like I belonged somewhere. Just after my eighteenth birthday party Edward and his family decided to leave Forks"

Bella paused bracing herself for the next part of her story. It was going to be hard.

"he-he told me to go a walk with him in the woods. I did... I didn't think there was anything wrong. Then he told me how he never loved me, how he never wanted me and I was just a sweet smelling distraction to him" Bella started to cry once again.

"I-I was all alone. Alone, he left me Sook, just like that. I meant nothing to him! He was my whole world and he never wanted me" Despair gripped Bella and she hunched over.

"I knew he was too good for me but I didn't listen to common sense! It's all my fault, I was s-s-stupid and f-foolish. I-I-I c-ca-can't bel-belie-" Bella began sobbing uncontrollably.

Sookie rose from her crouched position on the bathroom floor and left the room only to return with a bottle of champagne, two glasses, strawberries and melted chocolate. She then stripped off her clothes and pushed Bella forward and slipped in behind her.

Sookie couldn't believe this. Her baby cousin was left in the woods abandoned by a boy that claimed to love her? Vampire or no, she would kill him if she ever met him.

"No no no! Bella, he was a dick. An asshole, he was NOT perfect. No man is perfect, if he was fool enough to leave an amazing girl like you that's his loss, not yours honey" Sookie explained while wrapping her arms around the younger girl.

Sookie and Bella were always close, abnormally close, even as children. Cuddling, sleeping in the same bed, holding hands, brushing each others hair, lying on each other watching TV. They did it almost absent-mindedly, it just came naturally to them. They drew comfort being close and now was no exception. None of the girls thought twice about being naked in a bath tub with their cousin, it was natural to them.

Bella smiled at her cousins attempt to cheer her up.

"Well... he wasn't perfect. He was a bit controlling" Bella admitted impishly, trying to appease her cousin.

Sookie was delighted! 'Yes, man bashing, something I can work with!' She thought gleefully.

Bella turned around and sat at the opposite side of the bath facing Sookie only to look at the strange grin on the blonde's face.

"Now we're talking!" Sookie poured two glasses of champagne and handed one to Bella. "you are going to sit here and bitch and moan about your Eddie and you'll see what an asshole he really was"

Bella laughed, taking a sip from her glass. 'This will be an interesting night' Bella knew.

Four hours later Bella sat giggling on her bed with Sookie behind her fixing her hair.

"NO, he was not a virgin! Your kidding, a hundred year old virgin vampire, dam. There is something wrong with that boy!" Sookie exclaimed.

"There! Finished! Go look, go look!" Sookie jumped up from the bed and pulled Bella along with her to the full-length mirror. Bella looked at herself hesitantly. She had on the silver-blue dress she bought today and wore small black heels. Her hair was long and fell in soft waves down her back and framing her face. Her makeup was light with only a little eyeshadow, pink blush and pink lip gloss. She looked... nice. She wasn't pretty, no Bella would never consider herself pretty but at least she didn't look awful next to her cousin Sookie who was dressed in a yellow sun dress and had her hair up in a high pony also with light make-up on. 'Sookie would look amazing even in a sack' Bella thought.

Sookie bounced about her room picking up her purse, keys and other necessities.

"c'mon Bells, let's get this party started!" Sookie cheerfully said and made her way to the front of the house.

Bella only shook her head and with a small smile followed Sookie. 'This will be an interesting night' Bella thought as she followed her energetic cousin.