Falling for You

Party or not to Party

I had spent the rest of the week trying not to think about Edward, but it didn't work. I'd had to rewrite my English paper because I realized that I didn't know if Romeo had piercing emerald eyes. I had accidentally written Edward instead of Einstein on my history test. Worse, Alice said I talked about him in my sleep constantly. She was getting used to my constant mumbling, but she says his name comes out crystal clear.

Tonight we were going to the dreaded party. Alice had spent 3 hours on my make-up and hair. What made the torture worse was that she was having fun.

"Alice, you can't be serious." The outfit she'd placed on my bed would have made Lauren, my high school's tramp, nervous.

"What's wrong with it?" Alice walked toward me looking ready for the red carpet rather than a college party at a guy's apartment.

I crossed my arms over my chest and eyed what she had chosen for me with trepidation. "Nothing, except of course the lack of material."

"You're going to wear leggings and this jacket." Her words calmed me a bit.

"Fine," I was dressed and ready to go in about 10 minutes. The walk to the apartment was short and crowded. It seemed like everyone was going to this party. I was worried they wouldn't all fit. When we arrived at the apartment, I was proven wrong. It was huge.

When we got inside the blonde boy immediately took Alice to the dance floor. She looked so happy. Her happiness overshadowed my sense of abandonment.

I scanned the room looking for a familiar face. I stopped breathing. On the couch a few feet away was my angel. Edward was talking animatedly with someone. I wanted to hear his voice. The beautiful tone was just out of earshot. I moved closer and regretted it immediately. I had not seen who he was talking to until that moment. The beautiful statuesque blonde. Her figure was perfect in a stunning red dress.

I turned for the kitchen. I had the sudden urge to drink. I didn't know why I was so upset. I knew that Edward had not been an option for me. He was perfect. God would not have looked upon me with such grace. I couldn't deny how perfect they looked together. Whoever she was would make him happy. I needed to get over him.

I picked up a can of beer and contemplated it. The urge to drink had faded upon picking it up. I smelled the unfamiliar liquid and held it an arm's length away. How could people drink this stuff? It smelled disgusting.

"What, no heels tonight?" I dropped the can causing it to spew all over me. My hair was soaked and the beautiful voice chimed in a chuckle. I turned to see the beautiful eyes behind me. I wanted to run but his smiling gaze had me frozen.

"Here," he took me by the hand. A charge zinged in my fingertips. I wasn't sure I'd be able to stand much longer. "Let me help you get cleaned up."

He pulled me to a room and closed the door behind us. He let go of my hand leaving me in the center of the room. I took the time to survey the room. The only light was coming from a computer screen on a professional looking desk. The background was a picture of Edward, Alice's blond guy and a really big guy. They were all wearing football uniforms, but obviously not for our school. I would have guessed that it was their high school team.

"Do you live here?" I asked, trying to find him through sonar.

"Yeah, with my brother and Jasper." I heard drawers opening and closing, but my eyes had yet to adjust enough to see where he actually was. "My parents didn't want Emmet and me living in a dorm. My mother babies us too much."

"So this is your party?" Stupid question, Bella.

"No, Emmet's the big party man. Jasper and I usually just enjoy them. Though," Edward sounded thoughtful, "Jasper looks pretty happy tonight. He hasn't stopped talking about Alice since she fell into his arms." He chuckled, "Is it really safe for two such clumsy people to be friends?"