Chapter Song: House by Ben Folds Five
Bella didn't hear from Alice or Jasper for two days, until it was time to for them to shop for their white elephant gifts on the day they'd promised each other. After they found their gag gifts and Bella picked up Edward's championship plague with a picture of him him being held up by all his teammates she special ordered for his gift, they went to the food court. Bella ordered chinese while Alice got a slice of pizza as big as her head.
"How'd it...go?" Bella worked up the nerve to ask once they were half way through their meals.
Alice wiggled her eyebrows. "Would you like details?"
Bella flushed. "No. I was just wondering if it went...well or not."
Alice smiled, laughing wholeheartedly. It was good to see her friend truly happy again. "It was wonderful. Best night—nights of my life."
"That's great."
Alice nodded, suddenly becoming serious. "I have something to tell you."
"What?" Bella asked, feeling anxious as she forgot about her food completely.
Alice hesitated, obviously fearful of upsetting Bella. She sighed. "I'm moving to New York after graduation.
Bella took a moment to absorb this, finally she shook her head. "I thought you were staying here."
Alice nodded. "I was suppose to."
"What—when did you change your mind?"
"I couldn't stay away from Jasper. I applied last year to Juilliard, Tisch and CALArts. I got accepted to Tisch and CALArts and picked Tisch."
Bella stared at Alice slacked jawed. "You must of just choose."
Alice nodded. "I wanted to make sure Jasper went to New York and see how it was to be away from him. I was also convinced that I would choose CALArts. It's the Juilliard of the west coast. Plus, I always wanted to be in movies."
"Jasper changed that?" Bella asked, not meaning to sound accusing, but doing so anyway. "Sorry," she said instantly, feeling like a terrible friend.
Alice shook her head. "It's okay. I've had time to think it through, and they film movies almost everywhere now and I don't have to jump in the Hollywood scene right away. Plus, having theater experience will only boost my resume."
She did seem well thought out about the whole thing. "So you've been thinking about this for a year?"
Alice nodded, watching Bella carefully.
Bella wanted to ask why she never confided in her, but she knew she had no right to ask from the not so supportive way she'd just reacted. She took a breath before smiling. "Well that's great. I'm happy for you."
"Are you really?" Relief finally took over Alice's features.
"I'm not going to lie, I'll miss you like crazy. But, yeah, I'm happy if you're happy."
"Oh my God, I'm soooo happy!" She grabbed Bella's hand from across the table. "You have no idea how happy I am that you said that. And think about it, now you can come visit New York and have a place to stay. Me and Jasper are getting an apartment together." He'd been staying in a dorm.
Bella smiled, liking that idea. She'd dreamt of The Big Apple since she watched Ghostbusters before her parents died. Her father was obsessed with them, she remember him singing the theme song all around the house, aggravating the mess out of her mother. Anytime nostalgia for her parents hit, she'd feel the dull ache in her chest intensify to a steady burn. She blinked back tears.
