A/N Hi everbody/anybody! I'm taking a little break from The Blue Hour to pursue a few ideas which have been bothering me. This is a random little fun story which will develop into a chapter story... with a bit of time.
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and all related characters in case you hadn't heard. No copyright infringement intended! (I promise!)
Chapter 1 - BPOV
I waited patiently—or as patiently as somebody running late for their very first national television debut could wait—for my best friend Alice's fiancé Jasper to pick me up from the downstairs lobby of my Chicago apartment building. Demetri, the stout, doorman kept a wary eye on me as I sounded out a nervous rhythm with my fingertips on the marble countertop which stood about four feet high on the Eastern side of the room. Demetri sat on a cozy looking lifted seat behind the counter and he straightened his hat as the sun began to shine through the windows on the opposite side of the room, lighting up the marble tiled entryway.
"Where is he, he said he'd be here before twelve!" I mumbled maniacally to myself, brushing my other hand through my hair.
"Um, Ms. Swan?" Demetri finally called after a string of nearly silent profanities began streaking from my lips.
I looked up at him as I felt the telltale heat of my ever-present and ever-embarrassing blush begin to fill my cheeks. "Sorry, Demetri, it's just I was supposed to be at the Montgomery Building 10 minutes ago and my ride still isn't here."
His face scrunched into a look of curiosity. "The Montgomery Building, huh? Isn't that where they film the Leah Clearwater show?"
I smiled in further embarrassment as I met his dark eyes. "That's where I'm headed," I explained hesitantly. I pulled my cell phone out, peered at the time, then returned it to my pocket. 12:22, the show started at 1:00. Jasper had better be on his way. After a moment, I decided I was glad to have a little distraction from my nervous habits, so I continued with a bit more vigor, "I'm going to be a guest on this afternoon's live show—or I am, if Jasper ever decides to show up."
Demetri's face shown with a new excitement, he always seemed to enjoy getting the latest bit of information on the residents here at Chicago Towers. I could see he considered this big news. "Promoting your book I assume?" he asked, without bothering to hide his enthusiasm.
I nodded and felt my cheeks burning warmer than before. My recently published book wasn't exactly at the top of the New York Times Best Seller List so it was usually a bit of a surprise to find that somebody had heard of it. Then again Demetri was pretty much the eyes and ears of this apartment building. He knew a surprisingly large amount of info about the residents, but he didn't gossip. I definitely appreciated that about him. My hands returned to their nervous work on the counter and in my hair respectively.
"So how did you manage to get on the Leah Clearwater Show, if you don't mind me asking?" he said politely, reigning in his obvious interest at least marginally. My drumming and shifting paused for another moment.
"Oh, well I've got some connections," I laughed a tad hysterically and left it at that. I pulled out my cell phone again, 12:24. I decided that if I hadn't heard anything from Jasper by 12:30 I would call a cab, I was growing more and more anxious by the second.
My connection to the show was actually Leah's soon to be husband Jacob Black, my long time friend from childhood and juvenile partner in crime, so to speak. Our fathers used to go fishing together on the Quileute reservation near Forks, Washington (the miniscule, rainy town where I spent the majority of my childhood). Jake had actually been visiting me here in Chicago a few years ago when he met Leah. It wasn't exactly love at first sight because Jake managed to spill iced tea down the front of Leah's designer shirt when he first ran into her—at a restaurant a few blocks from my apartment—but Leah came around when Jake saved her from some paparazzi stalkers later that same evening.
Jacob's father was the cheif of the Quileute tribe and coincidentally, Leah's great grandfather was Quileute so she was just as excited as Jake to try and get some publicity for my very first published book, one which I liked to consider a work of historical fiction. It was based on some word of mouth legends passed down generation to generation by the small tribe of Quileute's near my home and the main character is actually one of Jake's ancestors. I smiled slightly to myself as I recalled those exciting nights out on the beach where Jake's dad and the other members of the tribal council used to share the legends with me and the Quileute youth. The elders had had such passion and appreciation for their stories which they told by the light of only a driftwood bonfire and the cloud covered stars. Those nights down on First Beach had been so magical and exhilarating. I felt honored that they shared them with me and proud that I could share a little bit of that nearly supernatural experience with my readers.
Finally my cell phone buzzed in my pocket, startling me from my memories. "Oh it's Jasper!" I exclaimed triumphantly and Demetri gave me an amused smirk.
"Jasper, please tell me you're outside!" I begged into the phone's receiver as I walked with long strides and loud echoing of my boots toward the glass doors which exited onto a busy Chicago street.
"I'm here, and I'm incredibly sorry Bella," he apologized quickly as I spied his sleek looking Aston Martin parallel parked a few feet away. "I had a client who wouldn't let me go," he explained.
"It's alright, I understand," I said easily when I saw the remorse written on his handsome face through the tinted glass on his shiny car. I reached the passenger side door and slid into the luxurious front seat while shutting my phone at the same time. "Besides, it's not like I'm the one paying you $700 an hour or whatever price you use to rip off high powered Chicago businessmen who want your legal advice and services."
Jasper chuckled humorously as he pulled swiftly into the line of Chicago traffic. "Really Bella, $700 would be a family and friends discount. Don't you know me at all?"
"Thankfully not in a legal sense," I teased, I was only partially certain that he was joking about the $700/hour. Jasper Hale, my esteemed chauffer for the afternoon, was one of the best litigation attorneys in the city, if not the entire country. His charisma was rather astounding; I had seen it in action. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if he convinced a jury that he was from Mars, let alone that his client was innocent. And as if that wasn't enough, Jasper was extremely well read in all things history, law, war, and the art of strategy. All in all, he was quite the force to be reckoned with in the court room, particularly for a man of just 35 years of age.
I approved wholeheartedly of his engagement to my best friend and college roommate: Mary Alice Brandon-otherwise known as just Alice. Alice was a force to be reckoned with herself, and sometimes I found myself in a state of complete awe of this power couple. While I went to the University of Chicago for English, Alice had been working her butt off for a Business Management degree with a minor in Chinese and another in Fashion Merchandising. She currently owns her own clothing line called "Seer" which is worn by celebrities and the rich and famous worldwide—oh and me, since she insists on dressing me.
Alice and I met Jasper through his twin sister Rosalie, another astounding individual I feel honored to be acquainted with. She used to be a runway model, as she is essentially the incarnation of pure beauty, but after she met Alice she jumped on the "Seer" train and became Alice's second-in-command at her company. The former Miss Illinois may be beautiful, but she's also just as smart and ambitious as her twin. While pursuing her modeling career, Rose was simultaneously studying Biochemical Engineering (for the heck of it!) at UCLA, and she somehow managed to graduate Summa Cum Laude. I unfortunately did not have the pleasure of knowing her at that time.
As we finally pulled into the underground parking garage for the Montgomery Building, I realized that never had I been so thankful for Jasper's "Fast and the Furious" driving style—though it still scared me half to death . "Well that was quick," I mused as I unbuckled my seatbelt and began gathering my belonginings. It was only 12:37. We had made the drive through Chicago traffic in less than fifteen minutes.
Jasper simply smirked at me, his pale blue eyes sparkling in the lighted garage as we got out of the car and speed-walked toward the elevators. His smirk faltered then abruptly disappeared though when we saw who was waiting for us, impatiently tapping a pair of expensive Seer boots right in front of the heavy grey elevator doors.
"Isabella Marie Swan!" Alice nearly shrieked once we were within hearing range. Her hands flew from her hips to the air in exasperation, "Where have you been?"
I chanced a quick glance toward Jasper who was biting his lip and looking uncomfortable. I decided to take one for the team. "Sorry Alice," I mumbled, my face heating as my eyes searched for the floor. A million excuses shot through my head at the speed of light before I finally thought of something that might get both Jasper and I off the hook. "But as you're well aware, beauty takes time!" I announced suddenly, my eyes locking on hers as I threw an argument back at her that she had given me at least a thousand times. "I had to find the perfect outfit and shoes to showcase your line, and after that, I had to put on makeup!" Oh the horrors! I decided to keep that last part to myself.
"Don't even try it," Alice scowled, but it was playful. I could tell I had chosen the exact right thing to say; she seemed mostly appeased, "Because I know that Rose was at your house last night to help you find an outfit." She gave me a quick once over and seemed to approve of the beige leather skirt and matching high heeled boots I wore with a sapphire blue turtle neck. "I have to say, you look damn good though Bella."
I simply smiled and walked toward the elevator as Alice stepped closer toward Jasper for an embrace. Even in her heels she didn't reach his shoulder. I turned away from them and made a study of pressing the elevator call button. Alice and Jasper were never overly exuberant about their public displays of affection, but the way they looked at each other… it was so personal, and loving—I usually had to look away because I felt like I was intruding. When the ding of the elevator alerted them to the car's arrival Jasper mouthed a "Thank you" to me once Alice's back was turned. I smiled mischievously before I mouthed "You owe me one," in response.
He stifled a laugh as we filed into the warm elevator. I was relieved to be out of the chilly Chicago air, but the elevator was a little too tight, a little too stuffy for me and my mild case of claustrophobia. I decided I would most definitely be taking the stairs when I was done here today; it was only three flights—not horrible.
Jasper left us to find his seat in the audience once we got to the appropriate floor. Alice walked backstage with me though and I was grateful for the company. My nerves were starting to act up again. The fast drive over here with Jasper had been frightening enough that I had actually felt relief rather than stage fright when we first arrived in the parking garage, but now the relief was starting to ware and sheer stage fright was endeavoring to replace it.
Alice chattered happily about wedding arrangements for her and Jasper while we walked through a wide hallway lit with iridescent lights toward the dressing rooms. "Oh you'll never guess who else is going to be on the show today Bella," she said suddenly.
"Um Leah Clearwater?" I was trying for humor, but I was pretty sure my dry joke fell flat—the stage fright was setting in hard now.
Alice read the fear on my face and grabbed my hand sympathetically, letting the other subject drop, "It's going to be fine Bella, just like any other book talk you've done. There will hardly be anybody in the audience at all! It'll be just you and Leah up there. You guys are friends, it'll be a piece of cake!" she tried to encourage me.
I smiled back tentatively but there was no way it was going to reach my eyes. "Don't you mean just me, Leah, and the hundreds of thousands of people who watch her show!" I amended my voice betraying my hysteria. "Oh Alice, what if I mess up? It's going to be live you know, we won't be able to just redo it or anything! What if I trip while I'm walking out there, I mean just look at these death traps I'm wearing! I didn't wear such high heels to my senior prom! There isn't enough blush in the world to cover how embarrassed I'll be if I screw up in front of all those people Alice, I can't do this!" I was beginning to break down. I had been doing such a good juob of repressing all thoughts of stage fright and my chronic clumsiness a few minutes ago in the elevator. But now I was worried that that clumsiness which had completely humiliated me time and time again during high school might just decide to make its grand reappearance and a television debut of its own.
Alice ran a hand skillfully through her carefully styled inky black halo of hair. "Bella, listen to me," She grabbed my face with both hands and stared me in the eyes. "It will be fine." She enunciated each word as if speaking to a kindergartener, trying to make me understand.
She held my eyes with her electric blue ones for another few seconds before she picked up her phone and dialed Jasper. I stared at her in confusion for a moment while she spoke to him. I couldn't even pay attention to what she was saying—I was too focused on trying not to hyperventilate. Then all of a sudden she was holding the phone out to me expectantly, her sculpted eyebrow raised halfway up her forehead.
Uncertainly, I reached for the phone and put it to my ear. "Hello Jasper?" I asked with heavy bewilderment.
"Bella, listen to me now," he said persuasively. I instantly recognized his powers at work, but I decided not to rebel, I simply did as he instructed.
"Now hold your breath and count to three, and then I want you to exhale, allowing all of your breath to leave your body in one slow and smooth motion."
"Jasper!" I faked surprise, "I didn't know you were a yoga instructor!" I watched as a half smile threatened Alice's lips. Dry humor was my favorite way to distract myself from unpleasant situations.
"Bella," he scolded.
"Alright fine, hold my breath, count to three, exhale smoothly and slowly," I repeated for his benefit.
He waited silently as I did just that. I was surprised by the amount of relief that simple exercise brought me. "Erm—wow, I can't believe that actually worked," I said softly.
"Me neither," he laughed, "I thought I'd have to coax you for the next half an hour to get you to relax."
"Not funny." I informed him.
"Really though Bella, you're going to do great, I know it, Alice knows it, everybody knows it."
"I know it!" I heard a faint voice on the other side of the phone.
"Is that Jake?" I asked, excitement lacing my tone.
I could hear the smile in Jasper's voice as he answered, "Would you like to speak to him?"
"If I may," I said with a grin evident in my own voice.
"Bells!" Jake called excitedly into the phone.
"Jake!" I exclaimed just as eagerly, "I didn't know you were in town!"
"Well you didn't expect me to just watch my two favorite girls in the world on television two hundred miles away when I could watch you live!" he teased and I felt my smile grow. It was so easy to be genial and carefree around Jake.
"Thanks Jake," I said warmly, "Now you have to promise me something,"
"Says who?"
"Says me! Your long lost childhood friend. Your partner in crime. Remember we went to jail together!"
"Alright first of all, you're not long lost and second of all we were in jail for all of about 45 minutes because your police chief father decided to throw us in there to teach us some sort of lesson about respecting our elders. Complete bullshit if you ask me."
"And I'll be sure to tell him you said so if you don't promise me this!" I threatened with mock seriousness.
"And you're resorting to blackmail now? This must be serious. Alright, lay it on me."
"Jake, I need a favor," I started, but he cut me off.
"If you need help disposing of a dead body, it had better belong to that damn Newton character!" I knew Jake had a vendetta against him, ever since that awkward time in high school when the three of us got stuck going to see some crappy horror film together.
I stifled a laugh and continued with my demand, "No Jake, I need you to distract the audience if I do something embarrassing like trip on stage or forget how to speak English."
He laughed outright, "Oh yeah, and what did you have in mind?"
"I don't know, streaking or something?" I tried to think of ideas, "Maybe you could get Jasper to do it too, I think between the two of you, I would be pretty well covered."
I could hear his laughing was now joined by Jasper and I raised an eyebrow at Alice who was looking quite amused herself. I took a moment to gather as much mock desperation into my voice as I could, "Promise me Jake!" I pleaded, "Just promise me so that if I die of mortification once I hit the stage after my fall, I'll die knowing you at least had my back."
"Alright, alright," he finally composed himself after a few more seconds of shameless laughter at my expense. "I promise to run across the stage naked with Jasper as my sidekick if you do something embarrassing."
"Thanks Jake," I said with both humor and sincerity, "You're a lifesaver,"
"Sure, sure," he responded as I detected the sounds of directors and stage managers talking to the crowd and getting ready to start the show.
"I gotta go now Bells, show's about to start," he said quickly.
"Alright, bye Jake," I smiled as I ended the call and handed the phone back to Alice who was wearing a relieved smile.
"You're going to do great I know it," she smiled encouragingly.
Leah walked up in that moment and Alice squealed in delight. "Well, well, well," said Leah with a stern face, "If it isn't Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum" she snickered as she embraced the two of us in a warm hug.
"Just for clarification, I'm Tweedle Dee, right?" I had to ask, it was a very serious question.
"Sure, sure," she smiled brightly and it lit up her russet features beautifully. I smiled in response to the use of one of Jake's favorite sayings. It was amusing to see him rubbing off on her just as much as she was affecting him.
"Oh you're wearing one of my designs!" Alice exclaimed once she got a good look at the fashionable pants suit Leah was sporting for the show today.
"Well I figured you'd have Bella in something you created so I decided I'd coordinate," she said brightly, "And Bella I'm so glad you could be on my show to promote your book. I just finished reading it a week ago, it was marvelous. I didn't know most of the Quileute legends; it was very exciting for me to read about them in a first person point of view. It felt like I was actually there."
I smiled, completely flattered, a faint blush threatening my cheeks. "I'm glad you liked it, but save some of that talk for the show!"
"You know I will," she chuckled before she bid us goodbye and ambled toward one of the stage managers.
Alice towed me inside the dressing room at last and a makeup artist entered shortly thereafter. She had a kind face with soft features framed by shoulder length auburn hair and hazel eyes. A pair of thick rimmed glasses rested haphazardly on the tip of her nose. "I'm Angela, and I'll be doing your makeup today Ms. Swan," she smiled sweetly.
"Oh, please call me Bella," I tried to match her tone as I held out my hand for her to shake, "And this is Alice," I added with a gesture toward my loyal companion.
"Pleasure to meet you," said Alice politely as I took my seat in front of the well lit mirror.
"Well Bella, Alice, I must say the pleasure is all mine as I'm a huge fan of both of yours," she continued quite charmingly. I noticed then that the purse she had carried in bore the Seer emblem proudly. "I absolutely loved your book, Spirit Warriors, it was so inspirational," she continued as she began pulling all sorts of potential torture devices (otherwise known as beautifying tools) out of her bag, "What I really loved about it—besides the obvious hero story and the supernatural thrill of the werewolves—was the underlying criticism of classic history, where we only hear the winner's story. I think you did a great job giving the world an intriguing and compelling glimpse into the lives of the Native Americans who happily lived here long before Europeans decided to move in."
I could hardly contain the smile that spread across my face as I listened to Angela's perfect understanding of my book. I was more than flattered, I was thrilled. "Thank you Angela, that's so kind of you to say," was all I managed to get out though because she began applying sticky stuff to my lips.
In fifteen minutes flat I was completely made up and ready for my first national television interview—that is, until a stage manager knocked on my door and told me it was time. I felt the nausea begin to take hold of my body so I concentrated on the breathing exercise Jasper had given me. I smoothed my skirt then gave both Alice, then Angela a hug as I angled out the door.
A/N Thoughts anybody? You know you have something you want to say, for instance if I were you I might say: Um Hello, where's Edward? Why do you think I'm reading this story, get to the Edward!
And I would reply: He's coming, he's coming... relax!