:)

This is going to be a nice short story. At first I wanted it to be a one-shot, but then the page numbers began to grow and I knew that idea was out. So instead I'm going to write the story of the one-shot, but in longer format.

So this is just a little fun read that I've written because I can't sleep. I hope you enjoy it, and please don't judge too harshly!

The Biggest Secret

1. Caving In

"Alice, I don't want to go there!" I insisted, the last of a thousand times. I knew I was beginning to sound whiny, but I was too mortified by the idea of what she was literally trying to dragging me along to, to care much.

"Please, Bella?" Alice begged, turning to me with her wide, pleading eyes. She didn't have to look up at my face as much as usual thanks to the four-inch heels that graced her feet. Bright pink pumps. They made me terrified just looking at them, and I wasn't even the one wearing them.

Her heartbreaking expression deepened. "Please, please, please? I don't care that I'm starting to sound like a five-year old. I need you with me for this."

I let out a huge breath unhappily, crossing my arms over my chest. "But that's just the point—I don't think you actually do. How do I have anything to do with you going to a party?"

And not just any party—Edward Cullen's party. Sure to be the highlight of the year. Just about everybody was going, and that was exactly why I didn't want to. Why should I do something just because everyone else is? I had no interest in going to his party, where there would just be a bunch of horny teenagers rubbing up against each other and dancing to incredibly bad music so they could feel part of the crowd.

Please. Edward Cullen was the leader of that crowd. I would die before I showed up amongst them.

"Bella," Alice said slowly, reaching for my hands. She grasped them firmly in her tiny yet fierce grip. Like she was trying to communicate something to me without actual words. Her eyes grew even wider, if that was possible.

"This is not just any party. Please, you know I wouldn't beg you like this if it wasn't serious! I don't even care this time that it's the biggest party yet—and that's something, right? All that matters is that he's going to be there."

He. Jasper Whitlock. None other than the receiving person of Alice's hopeless, yearning crush for the past year, and also coincidently the best friend of Edward Cullen. Only Alice's crush perhaps wasn't so hopeless. She was absolutely gorgeous, and anybody would see that by just glancing her way.

We just hadn't gotten the chance of making Jasper glance her way yet, though. It was only a matter of time.

"Can't you just talk to him at school?" I asked hopelessly.

Alice rolled her eyes at my total cluelessness about the situation. "School?" she repeated scornfully. "Why would I want us to get together at school? That is just too unoriginal. And plus," she added, straightening up impressively, "I didn't spend all this time getting myself ready and finding the perfect outfit to have it waisted."

She was right, in one respect: Alice wore a cute little black dress that sparkled and shimmered just right as she moved around. It looked stunning on her, with her black, inky hair spiked up in a glamorous way.

"But it doesn't have to be waisted," I pointed out, taking a seat on the couch that was in mine and Alice's apartment. I sat back, snuggling into the softness, getting comfortable. "I'm not stopping you from going."

Alice's eyes narrowed. "Yes, you are. Because why would I turn up at a party by myself?"

"Take Rose," I suggested. Rose was Alice's next best friend. I didn't know her too well, but she seemed alright.

Alice sighed and stamped her foot impatiently. "But Rose is going with Emmet!"

"What?" I said. That caught my attention instantly. Emmett, the other, older, Cullen. "Well . . ." I struggled to come up with another good idea that would get her off my case.

I loved her, of course. I wanted her to go to this thing if it meant so much to her. I wanted it to be as spectacular as she imagined.

I just didn't want her dragging me along to it with her.

Alice got down on her knees, levelling with my face—my hands were still clasped in hers. "Bella. This is big for me. It's going to be the night. And I need you there with me for this. You're my very best friend, and I need your help." Her face was still pleading.

My resolve shifted just slightly at her sweet words.

"But look at me—I'm not ready to go to a party!" I was dressed in my usual staying-in-at-home attire. Sweats, singlet, wet hair pulled sloppily in a ponytail to dry. I even had the thick, white socks on my feet to complete the look.

I wasn't fit to go anywhere, let alone the party event of the year.

"But I can make you ready in a second!"

"What about clothing? I have nothing suitable to wear," I hedged.

Alice's stare became incredulous. "Of course you do. You just need me to pick it out for you, silly."

"But . . ."

"Look," interrupted Alice, dropping my hands and standing up back on her two heeled feet. "Enough is enough. I don't have time to waste. Are you with me or not?"

My face crumpled as my better side won out. I couldn't just leave her hanging when she was obviously depending on me so much.

"Fine," I sighed, resigned. "I'll go. But just for you. I wouldn't even consider it if it was someone else."

"Yes!" squealed Alice, a genuine excited grin dominating her face. She clapped her hands together gleefully. "I love you, Bella!"

And I had to smile. Just a little. She was too adorable not to.

"I love you too," I told her.

"Well, c'mon! We've got heaps to do," she said, and grabbed my hand again so she could pull me up from the couch.

I was so going to regret this. Oh well.

Alice pulled me along into my bedroom, straight across it and pushed me into the bathroom.

"Alright," she said, all business like. "You start drying your hair and I'm going to get your clothes ready."

"Okay," I agreed quickly, and she flitted out the door.

I rummaged around in one of the draws until I found my hairdryer. I plugged it in, turned it on, and went straight into trying to get my hair to dry. Quickly.

It was about three minutes later that I heard Alice's call of excitement over the loud noises of the hairdryer.

"Aha!" she said, her voice victorious. She strutted back into the bathroom with a very big smirk. I clicked the power switch off.

"Show me," I demanded.

Alice's grin didn't waver. "I can't believe you never showed me this. It's perfect, and I don't believe I've ever seen you wear it."

My curiosity flared. I didn't know what piece she was talking about.

She flipped it out from behind her and held it out for my inspection.

"Oh," I muttered when I realized what it was. "That one."

"Yes, this one!" Alice exclaimed. "When did you get it?"

"Awhile ago, actually. It was picked out for me when my mum decided she wanted to get married to Phil, and have a big wedding, instead of the small private one they settled for. I was to wear at the reception." I frowned, thinking to myself. "And no, I haven't worn it. I think I was actually in a bikini when they got married on that beach in Hawaii."

I laughed, remembering. Alice smiled.

"Well, now you have the perfect excuse to wear it."

I rolled my eyes. "I'd argue, but I've learnt by now to trust your judgement."

"That's right," said Alice very seriously. She trailed her fingers over the soft, blue satin. "It's so pretty."

I grinned, resuming my hair drying. I raised my voice so I could be heard over the noise. "Maybe you can wear it sometime after tonight."

Alice looked shocked, her doe eyes widening, but then when she looked back at the dress she twisted her lips together.

"I don't think it would fit," she noted, fingering the big sating bow tied in the middle under the bust. I may have been slender, but Alice was very petite.

"We can make it fit," I told her. I shut the hairdryer off again and ran a hand through my long hair. "And I think my hair is officially dry."

Alice smiled so wide it looked like it hurt her face. "Good." Then she tilted her head to the side, thinking. "You can just leave your hair the way it is," she mused. "It looks fantastic out."

"Aw, thanks, Al," I laughed. "I'm glad I have your permission."

"Now," she said, "you need to get into this." She handed me the dress which was still on the hanger. I was pretty sure the tags were still present on the garment and everything.

I nodded my head. "Gotcha."

"And while you do that—quickly—I'm going to pick footwear!"

"Remember to be nice to my poor feet!" I called out after her, as she'd already dashed into my bedroom. There was no way I was going to wear shoes that were anything like hers. I am clumsy enough as it is.

I pulled my top over my head and shimmied out of my sweats so I could lower the silky dress down my body. I fit it into place, and turned so I could see it on me in the mirror.

I had to admit it looked good. It was just the right shape for someone with a body like mine. I had curves, but some things made them disappear entirely. But not this. This was good.

"Alice," I called, walking out of the bathroom. I needed her to help zip me up the back where my hands couldn't reach.

I found her on her hands and knees, burrowing through my closet a she searched for suitable footwear. My bedroom wasn't overly large, but it was nice; clean, white walls with a smooth carpet and a huge bed that had a very pretty, very intricate golden pattern sparkling on it.

When I came up behind her, Alice straightened up so she was on her knees, a shoe clasped in her hand and a very smug smile on her face.

"I got you," she declared, holding it up like it was on display. "Classic, pretty, funky and entirely Bella-proof. This is the one." The she looked up at me.

"Yes?" she asked innocently.

"Zipper?" I turned so my back was to her so she could see what I meant.

"Oh, right," she said, and dropped the shoe so she could spring back up on her feet and zip me up.

"Oooh, nice, Bella," she commented, staring at my back. "Black underwear."

I scowled and spun back around. "Shut up," I mumbled, fidgeting again with the dress. "Is this alright, do you think?"

"Alright?" Alice repeated mockingly. "It's bloody perfect. Now put these babies on your feet so we can head out." She bent to pick up the shoes she'd just discarded in her enthusiasm to help out.

Wow. Pretty good for Alice. She'd chosen my white peep toes that had a black bow on each one. Heels, yes, but nice ones at that. I could walk in these, I was sure.

I nodded wordlessly and sat on the edge of my bed so I could slip my feet into them. Then I stood up and spun around.

Alice clapped her hands. "Go Bella! You're gonna knock 'em dead."

I raised my eyebrows in disbelief at her when I'd come full circle.

She rolled her eyes. "Don't start with that. You know you're perfectly capable of getting any guy you wish. Your are so pretty."

I opened my mouth to argue, but she knew me well. She held up a finger to stop my words.

"Not that that matters, not that that matters. You are also impeccably smart and have the nicest personality. Happy?"

I half smiled. She really did know me well.

Alice sighed and shook her head sadly. "It's such a shame you don't see yourself well, though, Bella. One of these days you're going to gain some confidence and see how beautiful you are. But"—and her voice turned brightly optimistic—"until that day you have me to help you fake it. So let's go!"

I began walking to the door, but her hand held me back.

"Not so fast. I meant 'let's go', as in, back in the bathroom. It's makeup time."

I sighed dramatically and dragged my feet there.

Five minutes later Alice declared my officially ready. I was pleased at what she had done—I hated makeup, and she knew this. So instead I was only wearing the bare minimum. It was enough.

Hopefully I wouldn't stand out so much in this place now. Hopefully.

Alice grinned and took my hand. "Now we can go." We walked into the hall, and I glanced at the clock on the wall.

"What time exactly does this thing start?" It was ten now, so I figured it would be a late night anyway.

"Nine," Alice answered, pulling out her cell phone. She dialled a number and put it to her ear as it began to ring.

"Aren't we late, then?"

I could see the restraint it cost her to refrain herself from rolling her eyes. "It's called fashionably late, Bella. Now let's go down. I'm calling the taxi."

I was confused, but I followed her instructions anyway. She was first out the door, so when I slipped out I made sure I flipped the lights off behind me. I shut the door, thinking of popcorn and a movie at home.

I sighed and then took a deep breath.

I could so do this. It didn't matter that the host of the party was the biggest jerk known to mankind. It didn't matter that no matter what I did with myself I would never fit in with that crowd. It didn't matter that I was awkward, self-conscious and inept.

I could so do this.

Next chapter:

He held my gaze. "You shouldn't always believe everything people say, you know."

His eyes were intense, deep, a scorching, burning green. I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off.

"No, I haven't slept with all the female teachers in school. No, I haven't been to jail. No, I haven't stolen a car before." He smirked, and then leant in even closer to me. "But I do jaywalk," he admitted quite seriously.

I raised one eyebrow, and he winked at me playfully, grinning.

I couldn't help it. I laughed.

So . . . like it? Hate it? LOVE it?

I'm not all too sure on this so far, but I like writing it. Tell me how you feel about it, what you think. I'd really like to know.

Thanks!

x