New Girl

At First Sight

The boys really wanted to go to La Push that weekend so they made plans to meet up there the day after the sleepover. Unsurprisingly, Bella could not understand why they were so eager to go surfing when it was freezing. They tried to explain to her that the threat of hypothermia was half the fun. Angela had to reassure her that they could just stay in the car and drink soup while the rest of them enjoyed themselves.

When Friday finally came along, Jessica was looking for Bella after class so they could ride together to Lauren's house. She found her at her locker talking to Edward Cullen. For Pete's sake, could the universe just give Jessica a break? She had her mom's upcoming engagement that night to think about and an important volleyball game next week. She did not need this.

"We're going to La Push tomorrow," Bella said. "You should come."

Edward's face had a little spasm, his mouth frowning and his eyebrows furrowing. "I don't go to La Push."

Bella's eyes fluttered as she blinked. "Why not?"

"It's the beach...I don't like sand. It gets everywhere." Edward frowned. "And it's just not a good idea for me to be there."

"But-"

"No."

Edward turned away and nearly bumped into Jessica who sent him an irritated look before he swerved around her like an overgrown eel. She glared at his retreating back. Adios, asshole. She was grateful the Cullens were such snobs as she did not want her beach time invaded by Edward and the tiny birds that wanted to lay sulfurous eggs in his hair.

Bella looked put out and was despondently staring down the hallway where Edward disappeared. Hope sprung eternal in this one.

Jessica turned Bella the other way and pushed her forward. "Come on, Swan. We have a sleepover to get to."

Bella let out a groan of misery and Jessica elected to ignore it.

They got into Bella's truck and Jessica directed her to the Mallorys' home which was near Highway 101. It was a large nicely furnished six bedroom redwood house with a back patio that overlooked a large garden. It used to be a B&B before the family that owned it went bankrupt and had to sell it. It sat empty on the market for a few years until the Mallorys moved from Seattle to Forks when Lauren was three.

Bella parked her truck in the driveway and Lauren let them in. Angela had ordered pizza and they set up the TV and DVD player for their movie night. They got a copy of the Pride and Prejudice film for Bella. While they waited for the pizza, they helped Angela bake brownies.

Bella had never baked before and Angela patiently thought her what to do. Jessica was helping herself to some of the chocolate chips. Lauren was texting on her phone. Jessica grabbed her phone from her.

The blonde glared at her. "Hey. Give it back."

"No phones during sleepovers, remember? Only for emergencies," Jessica reminded her and looked at the screen to confirm her suspicions for who her friend was texting. "And I see you and Mike are back together again."

Lauren snatched her phone back. "We're not."

Jessica gave her a look. "But we know you will eventually."

Angela placed the tray in the oven before beginning to work on chocolate frosting. She explained to Bella, "Lauren and Mike have been together since middle school and they periodically break-up and get back together."

"The sky is blue and Lauren and Mike get back together. It's one of the most reliable things in life," Jessica quipped.

Lauren rolled her eyes and replied, "It's over for good this time."