Disclaimer: Sadly I have no rights to Twilight. All these lovely creatures belong to Mrs. Meyer.

Rating: M

Summary: AH AU OOC Bella finally gives up on waiting for Jacob to notice her. Edward for once decides to attend a party. What will they do when their paths cross that night?

Chapter one: Party at Emmett's

Bella's pov

"Bella!"

I looked up from my papers, searching for the face behind the voice. Rosalie spotted me and waved frantically. I frowned and gave a small wave. She sauntered over in true Rosalie Hale style. Meaning she was swaying her hips from side to side in a manner that would look cheap on any girl that was not her, but just made her look insanely sexy. I snorted. Like she needed a sexy walk when she was beauty incarnate.

"Hey, Rose," I said as she reached my desk.

"You coming to Emmett's party tonight?"

I tried to remember any talk of a party, but failed miserably. "What party?" I asked, turning slightly pink.

Rosalie rolled her eyes and huffed. "I swear Bella, you need to get your head out of those books more often. I told you about this two weeks ago and I'm sure both Alice and I have been talking about it at least five minutes every time we've seen each other since. Tonight I'm going to get Emmett McCarty on his knees. He'll be mine."

I snorted again. "Wow, Rose. I believe your head just grew a size."

"Har, har. Just come with us. You need to have some fun."

"Fine. Just let me finish this paper and I'll let you and Al give me a make over."

"Whoa! What's the matter with you? Are you sick?"

"No, I'm not sick."

"Then why on earth would you volunteer for a make-over."

I bit my lip. "Because I want Jacob to notice the fact that I'm a girl."

Rosalie giggled. Yes, ladies and gentlemen Rosalie Hale giggled. To say I was astounded was an understatement.

"What?" I half snarled.

"Are you still crushing on that loser? Seriously, Bell. Why bother? If the guy doesn't know what a catch you are by now, he's not worth your time. Besides, you can do so much better."

"Sure, sure. Let's just say that tonight will be my last attempt."

"Agreed. Hurry, though. Once I tell Alice what you just said, she'll be hounding you."

"I know. I'll be home in an hour."

She smirked and turned on her heel to leave. She shot me a look over her shoulder and winked. God only knows what that meant, but it made me shudder a little. Rosalie could be intimidating, even if she was one of your friends, but when she was planning and scheming she was downright terrifying. I tried to shake off the feeling of dread and returned to my assignment.

When I came home, an hour later than planned, I was attacked by Alice.

"Where the hell have you been?!" she shrieked.

"Doing my assignments."

"You said you'd be home an hour ago! And you didn't even have your cell on you!"

"Alice, calm down!"

"No! You finally, finally give me permission and then you decide to just cut an hour off my time."

"Give it a rest, Alice. The party won't start for at least another three hours and you never show up on time, so what is the big deal?"

She snorted, but then started smiling. "You know you are actually quite smart."

I smirked and rolled my eyes. "Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence, Ali."

"You know she didn't mean it like that, Bell," Rosalie interjected.

I sighed, slightly exasperated and motioned for Alice to start working already.

Edward's pov

My two roommates Emmet McCarty and Jacob Black were yelling something about a party, but I was trying desperately trying to drown their voices out. I needed to focus on my anatomy paper and a party was about the last thing I was in the mood for. Unfortunately I was always the underdog when it came to these things. Nobody asks the geek, right? Especially Jacob friggin Black. He was a grade a asshole, who didn't ever listen to my opinions. Thank god that I actually own the house so I have a veto on the big things.

"Hey, Edward," Emmett bellowed from the living room.

"Yeah?"

"You comin' tonight?"

"Do I have a choice?"

Emmett was now hanging against the doorjamb and grinning like a madman. He's a big guy but at least he's decent. He doesn't make me feel like a freak all the time and that makes living with him a lot easier.

"Not really, but guess who's coming?"

I rolled my eyes and shrugged.

"Rosalie Hale! She is going to be begging for it after tonight."

I snorted. Emmett had been attempting to seduce Rosalie for three months now by acting aloof and thus far it had not made a difference. I never paid much attention to her, or any other girls on campus for that matter, so I had no idea what kind of girl she was. I only saw her from afar once or twice.

"I will wish you luck then."

"Thanks, man. Jacob's going after that Renesme chick. Apparently she's quite the hottie."

"Good on him."

Emmett smirked and took off to take care of the party planning and I returned to my paper. I wondered briefly if I could find a way out of this ridiculous party, but I knew I would never hear the end of it if I didn't at least show my face. I pushed my glasses back on my nose and glanced at the clock. I still had a couple of hours left before the crowds would come in, better get some more work in.

It was two hours later when Emmett warned me to get ready. I gathered my papers and shoved them in my binder. I looked through the study and found it tidied to my satisfaction. I went out and locked the door behind me. I was the only one who owned the key to that room and I was certainly not going to risk a bunch of drunk college kids using my study as a place to make-out or worse.

Once I was up in my bedroom I quickly grabbed a clean t-shirt and a pair of jeans before hurrying down the hall to get in the shower. Before I reached the door however, Jacob came up to me.

"Hey, Eddie! You know who you'll definitely meet at the breakfast table tomorrow?"

I quirked an eyebrow. Is this guy for real?

"Resnesme! Hells yeah, that ass will be mine tonight."

I shook my head in disgust and brushed past him into the bathroom.

"Aaww, Eddie. Don't be like that," Jacob called after me.

I grumbled and slammed the bathroom door behind me. I was already hating this party to no end. It's time I get a new roommate and kick that Jacob prink out of this house. Dang, I won the place, I have every right to.

By the time I was out of the shower there was already music blearing from downstairs and several voices were floating up. I pushed my glasses further up my nose and trotted down the stairs.

Bella's pov

Rose and Alice had forced me into a midnight blue, silk dress that hugged my upper body but flared out from my hips and ended just over my knee. It had a modest cleavage and for once I was glad I allowed Alice to do this. She even compromised and allowed me to wear a low heel. My hair was curled and loosely piled on top of my head and my make-up was very light, mush to my pleasure. I felt like myself and all dolled up at the same time, which in my book was quite the accomplishment.

When we drove up to the two story house there were already a load of people entering and I knew Alice would get the rand entrance she was hoping for. Her boyfriend, Jasper Whitlock, was also there, but for Rosalie's sake we drove down with the three of us. I smirked when I noticed that the fearless Rose was in fact nervous about tonight. Seriously, it is a sight to behold.

We got out the car and, being the good friend that I am, I graciously allowed Alice and Rose to go first, for their little moment of fame. No need for the plain, boring Bella Swan to be in their limelight, right?

My heart fluttered a moment, when I thought about the promise I had made in the car over here. Rose and Alice had made me swear, that if Jacob didn't take note of me tonight, I would do my best to ignore him and find some guy to plant a kiss on. I really wasn't fond of the idea, but I kept hoping that this particular promise would be entirely unnecessary.

When I walked into the room, it was already bustling with activity. The music was loud and obnoxious and the guests were already slightly intoxicated. I hadn't quite expected that, but hey, how many party's have I been to in college? You've got that right, none! Well until now, that is.

I glanced around the room and much to my amusement, Rosalie was already engrossed in a conversation with Emmett. Good. At least she's settled. But what I saw next made the bile rise in my throat. The guy I was busting all my armour out for, was already lip locked with a girl I vaguely recognized from my lit class. Before I could tear my gaze away I saw him grope her and that was what caused me to rush out of the room, without looking.

I desperately needed air and I pushed my way through the bodies to get to the back yard. By the time I burst though the doors I was panting and trying desperately not to throw up my dinner. Why the hell was I such a glutton for punishment? Did I really think he would see me tonight and suddenly see me that way I want him to see me?

With a frustrated groan I stomped my foot. I took a couple of deep, cleansing breaths and then took the time to look around the garden. A few feet away there was a gazebo, which was faintly lit, by party light. I could see from here that it was empty and I decided that was the perfect place to hide out. I knew I had technically promised the girls I would kiss a boy tonight, but in that instant I really wasn't up for it.

When I reached the gazebo I perched on the banister and looked out over the garden, ignoring the thumping sound and squealing coming from behind me. I exhaled heavily and smacked myself in the head a few times.

"Why? Why do I always do this?" I muttered to myself.

I heard a chuckle from behind me, and with a screech I jumped up an whirled around. My balance was off and I started to stumble backwards, but before I could hit the ground, two hands wrapped around my upper arms and pulled me back to my feet.

"Careful there," I heard the most wonderful velvety voice whisper.

I looked up and was momentarily dazed by a pair of shimmering green eyes. I opened my mouth to say something, but they got stuck in my throat.

"Are you okay?" he asked me, eyeing me like I was insane.

"Uh…yeah. I am. You just startled me, that's all."

He chuckled again and when he did his eyes were dancing in amusement. I smiled back at him and sat back down on the banister.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked politely.

"By all means," I said and watched as he tentatively sat down beside me.

He was fiddling with a pair of glasses and with a deep breath he placed them back on his face. I smiled. He looked even cuter with them on, I realized.

"I'm Bella Swan and I'm no longer in the mood for this party," I said holding out my hand.

He took it and chuckled again. "Edward Cullen and I couldn't agree with you more. Saving you from falling is probably the best thing I did tonight."

"Then, what on earth are we doing here? I know this amazing gelateria in town which is always open until midnight on Friday. Wanna get some ice cream?"

His eyes lit up and he smiled a breathtaking crooked smile.

"I would love to," he murmured, holding out his arm for me to take.

I smiled brightly and hooked my arm through his and allowed him to take me back inside. The entire walk through the crowd I kept stealing glances at him and every time I caught him doing the same. It sent an electric current trough my body and although I wasn't sure what I was feeling, I vowed then and there that I was going to find out what it meant.

Edward's pov

I had been at the party for over an hour and was already thinking of things that I could better spend my time on. Jacob had already found the girl he was after and he was trying to butter her up. Emmett kept stealing glances at the door so I figured Rosalie wasn't there yet.

I looked up at the door and found that Rosalie just arrived. She was dressed to the nines, as always, and she eagerly swept her gaze across the room. I could see her eyes light up from where I was standing and I figured she must've seen Emmett.

Apparently they were both just as eager for tonight. Behind her followed a small, dark haired girl who I had passed on campus several times and I smiled as I saw Jasper Whitlock, my colleague from the library, scoop her up in his arms. I suddenly remember him mentioning his girlfriend several times. Alice Brandon. That was her name.

Just then my eyes flickered back to the door and I saw the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She was small, although a bit taller than Alice, she had long dark hair that was beautifully pinned up and wide, chocolate eyes, which entranced me immediately. I saw her sweep the room with her eyes and then her face fell completely. It went form hopeful and excited to utterly devastated. I followed her gaze and to my disbelief she was staring at Jacob who was now making out with that girl he had been ranting about.

Apparently that goddess at the door was hoping to see him. I grumbled. Figures that that prick would have a girl like that vying for his attention and he just completely ignores her. I shook my head in disgust, as I so often did when I thought about Jacob and watches as the girl made her way through the crowd towards the back of the house.

On their own accord my legs carried me forward, following her from a distance. I saw her go into the backyard and stomp her foot in frustration. Then she started walking to the gazebo and in a rare surge of confidence I followed her out there. While I walked I took my glasses off, not sure whether I wanted her to see me with them, or without. I fiddled with them as I came closer.

When I was in hearing range, I could see her slap herself in the forehead and I heard her ask herself why she kept doing this. I chuckled at that. She jumped up in surprise, spinning around to face me, letting our a yelp. When she lost her balance and staggered backwards, I simply reached out and grabbed her arms to steady her.

"Careful there," I said quietly.

Her eyes met mine and I felt a sharp tug in the pit of my stomach.

"Are you alright?" I asked her when I noticed her eyes were slightly glazed over.

"Uh…yeah. I am. You just startled me, that's all."

I chuckled again and she smiled in response, causing my heart to stutter for a moment. She sat back down again and I wanted nothing more than to sit beside her, but I wasn't sure if she would let me. I mean why would she? I'm a geek.

"Mind if I join you?" I asked her nonetheless.

"By all means," she said, eyeing me as I sat down.

I looked down at my glasses, twisting them back and forth between my fingers. I took a deep breath and slid them back in place. Might as well give her fair warning who she said yes to.

"I'm Bella Swan and I'm no longer in the mood for this party," she said, raising her hand to introduce herself.

I shook her hand and it felt so right that I smiled widely.

"Edward Cullen and I couldn't agree with you more. Saving you from falling is probably the best thing I did tonight."

"Then, what on earth are we doing here? I know this amazing gelateria in town which is always open until midnight on Friday. Wanna get some ice cream?"

This girl, no woman, was simply amazing. She just ask me if I wanted to get out of this party, she was my personal saviour right now.

"I would love to," I whispered.

I held out my arm for her to take, earning a huge smile before she took it. We stood up and I guided her back to the house. Every time I chanced a glance at her, her eyes would do the same and I felt that tug in my stomach again. The feeling was strong and foreign and it somehow made me feel rather giddy. I vowed then and there that I was going to find out all I could about this girl and I would not give up until I at least got the chance to kiss her once.