Cross My Heart
"Bella get over here! you cannot spend your entire summer sitting around."
Alice Brandon scolded Bella, taking hold of her slender wrists. Despite the fact
that Alice was only up to her eyebrows, and looked completely fragile, she
could be intimidating if she wanted to.
"I'm not sitting. I'm tanning." Bella said, pointing to the light dangling above
her. Alice rolled her eyes. "Please Bella, you are not going to get tanned by that
but you'll get fat if you keep sitting around." At that, Bella looked up at her, and
sighed. " I really wish you wouldn't do this to me." Alice crossed her slender
arms over her chest, a triumphant look on her face.
Alice was always moving around. Her mind restless and never at peace.
The two girls were opposites. Alice liked to move around, and see the sun,
while Bella was more of an indoor girl. She feared she'd trip and break her
nose if she ever ventured farther than two blocks away. But despite their
differences, they were best friends. Bella had always admired Alice's
strength to carry on with whatever she was doing. If there was something
in her way, Alice would knock it over. She also admired the fact that Alice
could continue letting people into her heart when it alway got broken. Bella
felt a quiet protectivness over her friend. She didn't want Alice to have to go
through heartbreak. But Alice always seemed to move on quickly, bouncing
to a new boy, a new adventure. Bella examined her friend once more, who
was talking animatedly about something, probably about her summer plans.
She was slender, pale, but not in a nasty way, but in a model kind of way.
She was probably the only girl she knew who could carry spiky short hair
well.
"So.. what do you think, you in?" Alice said, bouncing excitedly on the
balls of her feet. "Er- about what?" Bella asked innocently. Alice looked at
her. "Jesus Bella, did you not listen to anything I said? I'm talking about
going on a roadtrip! How awesome is that?"
Bella cringed inwardly. She didn't exactly find the idea of a roadtrip
appealing. And she didn't like the idea of leaving Charlie alone. At the
thought of him, she instantly checked the time. It was five in the
afternoon, at this point, Charlie was still making rounds at the station. She
sighed. "Um.. I don't know Alice. Where would we go. Do you even have
the money? you know gas is expensive these days."
"Bella, again with you mumsy talk. Quit being a worry wort, and
just come with me. And if my summer sucks, I'll have you to thank." Alice
said, as she pulled Bella off the bed with such force, Bella nearly
stumbled. "Alice, can you be more gentle?" Bella muttered. Alice smiled
apollogetically, "I'll try to watch it, but only if you'll come." Her brown eyes
flashing mischeviously.
Bella sighed, " I don't know if Charlie would-"
"If Charlie would what? He'll agree, I've got him wrapped
around my fingers!" Alice said, waving the thought dismissively. Bella
stared at Alice. It surprised her how Alice could make it sound so
cruel. But as cruel as it sounded, she knew it was just Alice speak.
And it was the truth. Alice did have Charlie wrapped around her
fingers, mostly because Charlie thought she was good for Bella.
Bella knew there was no more point in arguing. She knew Alice had
already won the arguement. She turned back to Alice, who was
already raiding her closet, picking out, in her words, "suitable" clothing
"Don't you have anything other than these plain janes?" Alice asked,
as she held out a t-shirt against her slender body. Bella shrugged
lazily. She had never given much thought to fashion, actually. She
never found fashion all that interesting. Alice sighed, looking
resigned for the moment. "Alright, pack your things, and tell your
dad, I'll be back by eight, okay?" Bella gulped. She didn't know if
she had the guts to tell it to his face. He had just gotten used to
being around company. But she nodded anyway, not knowing
what else to do. Obviously, Alice wore the pants in this friendship.