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P.S.!: The chapter titles are either songs or lyrics that inspire each chapter!
2: Take A Bow
The next morning, I was awakened by a loud banging on my bedroom door. I knew of only one person who had a fist capable of making that much noise. I cracked my eyes open and saw the clock which told me it was almost ten in the morning. I groaned and sat up.
"What." I called, my voice cracking.
"Wake up Rose. I've got you breakfast. Your favorite. Waffles." It was Tyler. Who seemed to be an in exceptionally great mood this morning. But who was I kidding? Tyler was always happy. Even drunk he was giggling and cracking jokes about everything and everyone.
I got up, and opened the door. Tyler stood there a plate of waffles and a cup of coffee on a tray. You need breakfast in bed today because you're going to sing and stuff. So move over. Where do you want it?"
I pointed him toward the bedside table. I went into the bathroom and washed my face. I walked out and found Tyler sitting at my desk with his own plate of waffles and coffee in front of him. He was looking at the pictures tacked on my cork board. I sat on my bed.
"Rose, I'm eating here with you for two reasons." he said turning to me. His brown eyes locked with mine. I knew this was serious.
"First off, you and I are the last to eat. Everyone else is already outside in the pool and stuff. And second, I want to talk to you about what happened last night." I froze my hand halfway to a waffle.
"What happened?"
He sighed. "I saw what was happening between Connor and Lauren during the movie. I observe sometimes, just like Bella does. So I saw them giving each other these flirty looks. He seemed pretty into her. She seems keen about him as well. I didn't know if you saw it, but I wanted to let you know." I sighed.
"Oh, that. I thought it was just me." I shrugged.
"No Rose, it wasn't. Trust me, I saw it. But you were just probably you know, distracted by Emmett's muscularity on screen." he had a teasing tone to his voice when he said that last part and I couldn't help but laugh. "Oh yeah, you know it."
"But seriously, be careful Rose, you're one of my closest friends, and I don't want to see you get hurt." I smiled at my best guy friend. He had been there for me for as long as I could remember. He had moved here when we were in middle school. But he usually went back home to Australia when he wasn't working. Except for this summer of course. I had met Connor when he brought him down last year. And we'd hit it off in July. Now at eleven months of dating, I had barely discovered his ways. What a shitty relationship this was turning out to be.
"Tyler, I love you. And thank you." He nodded with a huge grin as he bit into his waffle smearing syrup on his chin. We ate in silence until he asked me about the fashion show.
"Is Jasper driving you?" I nodded. Jasper was my cousin. He was born the same year as Bella. Nine years before me. He and I were the only two kids with blond hair. I had gotten it from Mom's side of the family. Though she had dark hair like my Dad and Bella.
"Lucy and Renee will be super happy." Tyler said grinning. "I know. Jasper's pretty happy too. He's been itching to drive us for years, but now that I'm actually getting to go new places, I can use him now.
"Hah! Use him." Tyler started laughing and I glared playfully at my best friend before we both went out to drop the dishes off. I ran back upstairs just as I heard Connor coming inside. I ran into my room and showered and dressed. When I got out, Alice, my wardrobe designer and hairstylist was waiting with a huge smile on her pixie like face. She was also Edward and Emmett's sister. She didn't have blond hair like Emmett, or bronze hair like Edward, she had caramel colored hair like her Mom, Esme. Edward's was balanced between Esme's hair color, and Carlisle's. Emmett had strawberry blond hair. Alice always said she wished she could have gotten his hair. He was the blondest out of the three. He was the middle child, at twenty-five.
"Okay, we need to trim your hair. And fix your layers. Sit."
"Wow, no hi Rose how are you. You just get right to business." I said teasing my second best friend.
"Oh shush! So, tell me, what's going on." she said lowering her voice. I knew that tone of voice. She wanted to hear my side of the story. Because Bella filled her in already. So I sighed and once again retold the horrible tale.
"I was headed to my room when I heard them in the room down the hall, his room. I heard Lauren talking about me. I stopped outside my door and I heard her tell him that I was just in this relationship to make her jealous. And to just dump me already because they were doing things behind my back. She wanted to flaunt him in my face. She said it herself. And he believed every word she said. So then I came in here and cried. I called Bella but she didn't answer. So I went and started working on the song for the movie. And then your brother called me."
"Edward did?"
"Nope. Emmett." She stopped what she was doing, her hand poised over my face, makeup brush in hand. "Emmett called you?"
"Don't get too surprised or excited. He just wanted to know about the song. And he might attend tonight's show." I said dismissively
"My dear friend, Emmett Cullen doesn't just call because he wants to know about a song."
"Yes he would. It's a song in his movie." I said.
"Produced and sung by Rosalie Swan." she added.
"So?"
"So you're Rosalie Swan. Ugh forget it. Anyway, what did he say?"
"I answered it without even checking who it was. I mean nobody ever face times me. And if they do its usually Bella or Tyler just to say hi. But I was surprised when I saw your brother there. I was kind of embarrassed because I was crying. So he asked me what was wrong and I told him everything. I didn't leave anything out. He said I should dump him. But Bella said to act like I heard nothing."
"Well." Alice said already working on my hair, my face already done up with light makeup. "She's right. If you let them think they can get away with it, they won't expect it when you blow up in their faces. It'll all be worth it in the end. Just keep smiling, and yes, I know kissing him must make you sick. And I would so understand if you want to clean your mouth with bleach." she said giggling.
"I didn't find the bleach fast enough. I used Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin hand soap instead.
"You devil! It has to be bleach!" then we both started laughing.
When she finished my hair she opened my huge closet and pulled out a cute blue dress. She helped me ease it over my head. And I slipped on a cute pair of blue sandals. When I was ready, she clapped her hands and took a picture of me. She sent it to me and I uploaded it to my instagram. We walked out of my room and downstairs. Nobody was in the living room except for my friend Austin. He had his computer on the table, and a keyboard in front of him, where I saw his fingers gliding across the black and white keys. I managed to see that he had his music program open. He must have been working on a new instrumental. He usually sent me those to use for my songs. I waved and he waved back, his headphones over his ears. I walked outside and my cousin honked madly.
"That's my baby. Watch it. Don't hurt it." I said leaning in to kiss his cheek.
"Rose, Darlin' don't worry about it. I'll take great care of her." Right, I forgot to mention that my Mom and Aunt Lucy were born in Texas. Naturally, my Mom being the youngest, moved away to LA. Jasper had lived in Texas since day one. Hence the southern drawl.
I saw Alice's eyes bulge when she saw Jasper. Jasper got out of the car and opened the door for me. He was Alice's type. Tall, golden blond hair, deep blue eyes, and very cute. He and I looked so much alike, we could have been twins. Everything down to our hair was the same. Our eyes were the slightest shade different. You had to look closely to see it. He opened the door for Alice too, and she thanked him with a smile. He returned it.
We headed to the venue of Bella's show. I was supposed to rehearse my song and practice my walk down the runway. I was modeling the wedding dresses. She always said that if my music career didn't take off, she'd take me as her model. I always did it voluntarily, though. I loved the wedding dresses. Especially the ones she designed for summer.
I got out of the car waving at Jasper. He honked and went to park the car. When he wasn't driving, he was my personal bodyguard. He was almost as built as Emmett. I had another bodyguard too. His name was Riley. He would join Jasper in a bit while I was probably up on stage.
I was just about to start singing when I saw Riley walk in with Jasper and Alice.
The announcer pranced up to the microphone, all cheery and absolutely too hyper for this hour of the day.
"Okay! Rosalie Swan, you're up." I took my spot and began singing just as the models in the bathing suits walked down the runway. The crew watched as I sang and they walked. I focused on my singing and didn't notice when Emmett slipped in. I had chosen one of my more upbeat songs for the bathing suit show. I was glad that was where they wanted me to perform.
When I finished, there was a huge round of applause. I smiled and waved politely before I ran backstage to change into the wedding dress I was to model. It was one of the more extravagant ones. It was one of the prettiest wedding dresses I'd ever seen. I had only ever seen these kinds of dresses in those beautiful weddings in movies. Now here I was wearing one just like them. With the train and all. They completed the look with a veil.
Kayla Taylor performed as I walked down the runway. I saw Alice give me a thumbs up when I passed her. When I was done, I was sad to take the beautiful dress off. But I didn't have time to think about it, because then Alice came in and escorted me outside to the car. Jasper was there with Riley. I didn't see Emmett anywhere.
I was taken to the nail salon that Bella used. I was out at four thirty. I had to run back home to pick up Jessica and Tanya.
Alice came inside with me. I wasn't even halfway through the door when Tyler blocked my way with my brother in law.
"Just hurry and get out." Tyler said his eyes downcast. "Why?" I asked.
Suddenly I heard something that sounded like an animal scream.
"Lauren and Connor took advantage of you being away Rosalie. They don't even know I'm here." Edward said his green eyes cold as he walked out to talk to Jasper. I shook my head confused as I walked upstairs. I saw them then. They never knew I saw them. But it would always be burned into my mind. Connor and Lauren were in her room having sex. Lauren, who called herself my good friend and always said she wouldn't betray me was having sex with my boyfriend! With Connor, the Connor who would always say I love you every night. That little shit. That lying ass hole! I glared at Connor's ass, which was practically in the air, as he and Lauren made God awful noises. Stupid asshole pounding into my fucking so called friend. Damn them!
I walked back downstairs holding back the tears of pain. Yeah, I had heard he was cheating on me from Lauren herself. But to actually see them in the act hurt me terribly. I took a few shaky breaths as I walked outside and into my car. Jasper saw me and frowned. Alice was seething. As was Edward, who had probably already sent my sister a text message, or had already called her.
Jess and Tanya followed in their car. Tanya used to be friends with Lauren, but apparently, Lauren had stabbed her in the back, so she never even spoke to her when she was here.
I was still fighting back the tears when I stepped out of the car and inside to the backstage area. I saw my sister chatting with Emmett and Carlisle and Esme. When she saw me she ran to me. She took me into her arms and I stayed their as she rocked me like a child, back and forth, back and forth. I lifted my head from her shoulder and saw Emmett watching me. He came over to us with Edward right next to him.
"Rose, why do you look so glum?" he asked with a small smile. I pressed my hand over my mouth to keep from crying. Lucky for me, I had no makeup. I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head. I felt myself being shifted and then I was in a stronger pair of arms. I didn't move for a few seconds as they held me upright and close to them. I didn't even realize I was crying until I felt the tears falling onto my cheeks. I looked up, expecting to see one of my bodyguards, or Edward But instead my eyes were met by Emmett's worried gaze.
"What happened Rose?" he asked me. Bella handed me some tissues and stood next to us. Nobody was in this area but us.
I told him between sobs.
"C-c-connor h-h-h-he w-w-was h-ha-ha-having s-s-sex w-w-with La-la-lauren. In plain s-s-sight and I s-s-saw t-t-them d-d-doing it. It h-h-hurt so bad. It hurts still. Why?" Both he and Bella rapped their arms around me as my legs gave out and he supported most of my weight.
"Should she go home?" I heard him ask Bella. I snapped my head up.
"No. I can do this. I might be crying, but I'm going to do this. I'm not going to let my sister down. Besides." I said drying my eyes, "I like my wedding dress." I saw Emmett's grin come back full force. Esme and Carlisle rushed toward us then and both Bella and I were squashed between them. They were the most devoted and loving parents I knew besides my own. Carlisle was a doctor and Esme was an interior designer. She had in fact, done our house. It was beautiful.
I was whisked away then and prepped for my performance. All traces of me crying were wiped off my face not even fifteen minutes later. I put on my outfit and went to sit next to my sister and Edward. The whole family sat behind us with the friends that had come. The show was about to start when I felt someone poke my shoulder. I jumped and turned to see Emmett grinning at me.
"Knock 'Em out." he whispered. I felt my lips curve up at the corners and I nodded just as the announcer approached the microphone.
"Good evening everyone, and welcome! My name is Jane Volturi, and I am pleased to be part of Isabella Cullen's Designers fashion show! Tonight, we will be seeing all of Isabella's summer designs! With special music performances by Kayla Taylor, Kate French and Rosalie Swan! So please, sit back and please welcome Isabella Cullen!"
My sister stood and walked up the stage steps as everyone cheered, the Cullen men loudest of all. Jasper slipped in and came and sat next to me with Riley taking the seat next to him.
"Buttercup,were ya Cryin' when you left the car?" he whispered. I nodded. "I'll be okay." He patted my hand and faced forward.
"Tonight I am pleased to show you all of my latest creations. I really hope you enjoy them, and the performances." Bella said. And then she went on to talk about what and who inspired her to design the clothes. I was so proud of her, and I was glad I was part of it.
We watched the models in the cute summer dresses and evening ware. Then it was my turn. Jane Volturi came back onstage.
"And now, to perform for the bathing suit models, I am pleased to present the very talented and beautiful Rosalie Swan!" I grinned as once again, everyone started screaming this time with Jasper and Riley adding to the sounds of the Cullen men.
I approached the microphone as a spotlight lit up above me. I took a deep breath and I began. I belted my song out, letting everything go. I felt good singing as the models showed off the bathing suits. At the end I was lifted into the air by a few of the male models Bella had for the mens' clothing and they took me off stage. Emmett wasn't modeling anything this time, it seemed. I thanked them as they let me down backstage.
"Anytime Rose." it was one of her newer models. I ran to the dressing area and two women helped me into the gown, with the train, veil and all. They even gave me a bouquet. It smelled so good.
"Bella said you can keep that." Angele said. I smiled, thanked her and went and stood behind the other girls in wedding gowns.
"You look very beautiful Rose." Gianna whispered as she checked on all of us to make sure we were all perfect. She had been Bella's assistant since I could remember.
"Thank you." I said as Kayla began to sing. I walked forward, following the rest of the models. I was the last model for the wedding dresses, the best for last, Bella said. As we passed the audience I grinned at the Cullens and tossed them my bouquet. The photographers went crazy taking pictures. I didn't know who caught it, but I noticed that I had triggered some sort of chain reaction as all the other brides tossed their bouquets as well. Everyone went wild. When we were done, we went backstage all very happy with how our show turned out. I got out of my gown and back into my clothes for the evening. I went out and sat with my family. Jasper high-fived me when I sat down. "Buttercup, ya looked like a very beautiful bride." I smiled. "Thank you Jasper." I said. I turned back and Esme and Carlisle told me they were proud of me. Emmett came and sat on my other side in Bella's empty seat.
"You did a good job Rose." he said with a grin. "Thank you Emmett. Glad you could make it tonight."
"Me too." he said looking around the room.
"So, let me guess." he said lowering his voice. "Connor made up some lame excuse so he wouldn't have to attend?" I nodded, unable to help the smile I felt spreading across my face.
"He missed out, you make a beautiful bride Rose." he said. I felt my cheeks flame. This of course made me compare him to Connor. Wait, wait, wait! Connor, as shitty as he was, was still my boyfriend. And Emmett, well, wasn't. How is it that I was all Blushy with Emmett. Had I ever been like this with Connor? I tried to think back to the beginning of our relationship but could never remember a time where he had actually said something to make me blush. I pushed those thoughts out of my head and only thought of what tonight held.
"Thank you Emmett. Bella thinks so too."
He smiled at me and we kept talking for a bit longer before Bella's show resumed. While the evening gowns were being showed off, I let my mind wander. How was I going to continue playing dumb? I didn't think I could anymore. I had seen them doing it. Connor and I hadn't even ever done it. He respected my boundaries, or so I thought. I just didn't think I could go on like this. But Bella told me to play dumb, and usually, she had her reasons. But I felt so wrong.
It was at the end of the show when Emmett proudly showed me the bouquet that he had caught before it hit Jasper on the head.
"I swear, Rose has good aim." Jasper said grinning.
"Thank you, thank you." I said laughing. "That's why I caught it. It was clearly meant for me." Emmett winked at me and I grinned. "Well Emmett, you did help me out last night, so I owed you something." I said. He nodded and, his smile softened. "I hope that helped." he said.
"It did. Thank you."
When we got home, it was unusually quiet. Austin was in the living room watching Gilmore Girls reruns with Tyler. Who was holding a beer in one hand and eating pizza with the other. He grinned when he saw us.
"Hey there girls and guys. Come and watch Gilmore Girls." I could tell he was drunk. But not that much. I went and sat with them. He handed me a slice of pizza from the box and a Coke.
"You're still under age Rose." he said. Edward and Emmett were outside talking. I didn't know where my sister had gone off to. Jess and Tanya joined us.
"Dean will always be the hottest guy Rory ever dated." Tanya said grabbing a beer.
"Rory's super hot, hey." Tyler said before taking a huge pull from the beer he held. "Cheers to Rory!" Austin paused the TV and he held up his beer. "Hell yeah!" Their cans clunked together and we all laughed.
"So, where's Connor?" I asked. "Apparently." Tyler began, his words slurring together more noticeably than before, "He had band practice. But he took Lauren. He was already sort of drunk when he left. She was all up on him."
"Oh, okay. I mean she was already under him when I saw them. No big deal." I said tossing my empty Coke can across the room. It landed perfectly in the recycle bin.
"You what?" Austin said almost choking on his pizza.
"I saw them doing it when I walked in this afternoon. Not hard to miss, you know because one of them screamed like some sort of dying Rhino or something." Tyler started laughing rather loudly then, pounding his hand on the table in front of him.
"A d-d-dying rhino! Ho-ly s-sh-shit! Hah! Man Rose, that was perfect! Lauren does sound like that. When I first heard it when I came back from the gym, I was seriously afraid that one of you had brought back some wild zoo animal."
"No, no zoo animals. Just Lauren." I said before Tyler snickered. Austin hit "play" on the remote and we watched Gilmore girls again.
The door slammed shut then and Jasper, Edward, Emmett and Riley came in.
They all sat with us and that's how we ended our night, watching Gilmore Girls.
I went to bed, for once not even worrying about Connor. I knocked off one of the teddy bears he'd given me onto the floor as I climbed into bed, pulling the sheets to my chin.
I'd find a better man out there one of these days. One who wouldn't cheat on me. One who was faithful. I knew that next time, if there ever was a next time, I wouldn't jump head first into it. I knew I would start slow. I wouldn't fall as fast as I did for Connor.
With that last thought on my mind, I finally closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, hoping for a better day.
A/N So? What did you think? Did you like the fashion show? And what did you think of what Rose saw? What do you think she'll do now? Do you think she'll keep up with the charade? Let us know in some wonderfully awesome reviews! We love reviews just as much as we love chocolate cookies and well, just chocolate in general. Also, by the next update, you'll have access to the playlist we've compiled of all the songs that go with each chapter. As mentioned above, one song always inspires the chapter title, but there may be a few others that kept us going. The playlist will be available on Youtube. So once that's up we'll let you know where to go! :)
Until Sunday!