By The Lake

Chapter Two: Saving Me

Today was quite interesting. I learned about the different kinds of lakes and how to find out if its dead or what. Yeah, even lakes die. I didn't know it until this afternoon. Mr. Molina moved the hike to tomorrow. I admit I'm kind of excited.

We just finished the campfire and roasted marshmallows. We were now supposed to settle down and get some sleep because we'll need the energy for tomorrow.

I was alone in the cabin now. Alice is…I don't know where she is, actually. I got in bed but I left the door unlocked just in case Alice comes in.

I tossed and turned but I really couldn't sleep. From my pyjamas, I changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top to feel a little comfortable. But much to my dismay, I still couldn't sleep.

I took my backpack and headed out to the lake. Maybe if I take a little swim, I'd feel better. But it's already dark…But I really want to. Maybe just a dip. Okay. Just a dip.

I looked around, in case somebody was watching me. Okay. Clear…or that's what I thought.

I took my top and shorts off. I wanted to feel the water on my skin. Somebody pushed me and threw my backpack into the lake.

I recognized those two distinct laughs.

"Stanley! Mallory!" I cussed under my breath.

They ran away, laughing and calling me coward and ugly duckling. I glared at them. Then I remembered. Shit! My bag! No no no…This can't be happening. I don't have any other clothes left. I swung my bag back on the little port. I climbed the ladder and sat there inspecting my bag. Everything was soaking wet. What the hell will I do now?

The lights started turning off. Damn it!

Then I heard some rustling and I looked around.

"Damn it! Stanley, Mallory! If you're planning on pushing me again. I swear, I will kill you." I whispered loudly.

"Isabella?"

Oh please. Let it not be that velvet voice. He can't be the one seeing me like this. Half-naked and wet! I blushed as I realized that it was indeed Edward.

"It's Bella." I told him.

"What—" He started to ask while staring. Isn't it rude to stare?

I looked at him, simply looked at him.

"Stay here. I'm going to get you a towel." Then he was gone.

I sighed. Oh well. Then I looked at the moon. How beautiful…

But he was back quickly. "Here," he said and wrapped the towel around me. "Come on. Do you need me to carry you?"

I blushed. "No thanks. I'll walk." He supported some of my weight, keeping his arm wrapped around my shoulder, occasionally rubbing the towel on my arms and shoulder.

I dragged my bag back to the room with Edward beside me.

Alice quickly opened the door for us. "Edward? Bella? What—?" she asked.

"The girls pushed her into the lake." He explained to her.

My teeth were chattering annoyingly.

"I am disbanding from that group! I can't stand them. I don't know about you, Edward but I really hate them now." She told Edward.

"What about Liam? I can't leave him Alice."

"Liam? He's just like them and you know it. He's the one who started calling Bella, ugly duckling. I can't even believe you call him your bestfriend." Alice said angrily at Edward.

He just ran his hand through his hair and left.

Wait. I didn't even get the chance to say 'Thank you'. Sigh. Maybe tomorrow, then.

"Where are your dry clothes, Bella?" Alice asked.

"Um. They're not dry anymore. They're soaked." I raised the wet bag to show her.

Then she smiled.

"What's so funny?" I asked her.

"Told you, these clothes will come in handy." She said.

Was she really psychic?

"Here. I don't think my shorts and tops will fit you. But hopefully my dresses will. They might just be shorter than average." She handed me a t-shirt dress that ended just a little higher than mid-thigh for me. "And here. Underwear. Don't worry, I've never used them." Handing me, this time, a pair of blue underwear.

Then the label caught my eye. Victoria's Secret.

"Alice…I don't think I can pay for this." I told her about the underwear, ready to give it back anytime.

She laughed. "Who said I'll make you pay for it? Now can you stop complaining and start changing."

"Thank you." I told her.

"It's the least I could do." She smiled at me.

I changed and went to bed. Alice was already asleep when I finished bathing and all. So I decided that I should probably join her in dreamland.

I woke up next morning to a humming, joyful Alice. She was singing to herself while she laid out some clothes.

Aw, Man. I was excited for today, until I realized, what the hell am I going to wear for the hike? I didn't have anything except for this shirt dress and the set of underwear. Thanks to Alice.

"Goodmorning Bella." Alice greeted cheerfully.

"Goodmorning to you, too. You look happy today." I greeted back. But I didn't have a single light in my voice. How rude, Bella?! Fake it, if you have to.

"Yes. Because, we're going hiking." She said almost grinning with excitement.

"About that…I don't think I can go." I said to her apologetically.

"But why? Don't you want to go with me?" She asked.

Oh, believe me; I want to go so bad. There's just one problem…I wanted to tell her.

I felt bad for even saying a single word. The way she asked it was like I hated her. No. I don't hate Alice. In fact, I actually like her.

I gestured to my clothes as a response to her question.

"Oh." Then she laughed. "Of course, I already have a solution to that. I'll lay out the clothes here while you go take a shower or something."

"Thank you so much." I told her.

"Just go." She smiled.

I readied myself for the hike, washed my face, brushed my teeth and tied my hair up in a pony tail.

"Bella, your clothes are ready. I'll go out so you can change." I heard the door shut a little louder than usual.

I looked around the room before I changed. There was a pair of shorts and a tank top on the bed. Then I noticed another set of underwear there. This time they were black.

I groaned. I really don't want to end up paying for this. But I changed quickly into them, slightly scared that Alice might give me her puppy eyed pleading look.

I opened the door to show her.

"Perfect fit!" she exclaimed.

"Alice, I—"

"No. You can keep everything. They look good on you, anyways. And, no. You're not paying for them either." She said almost commandingly.

"Okay. Thank you, again." I hugged her this time. I think she deserved it. She is pretty small.

Suprisingly, she hugged me back. "You're welcome, Bella." Then she let go just as quickly as she pulled me to the line.

We started hiking up the mountain. Alice keeps disappearing and then will appear leaving me curious where she goes.

Sometime in the middle of the hike, I noticed that Alice was missing again. This is the fifth time I noticed she was missing so I bothered to look for her. I couldn't find her. Then I looked around and I also noticed that I was alone.

Damn it, Bella! Way to get yourself lost.

I continued walking, following this messed up trail. What the hell am I going to do? Charlie will worry, I bet.

I tripped over a rock I missed and I prepared for the fall but something caught me. I turned around to see who it was. Edward Cullen. Why does he keep appearing during my embarrassing moments? Well, he sort of makes it more embarrassing.

"Thanks. And for last night, too." I told him. "That's twice now, you know."

"Just be careful, okay?" He smiled weakly.

I looked at him and nodded, never taking my eyes off those beautiful, entrancing green eyes.

I felt a lump in my throat when I decided to tell him that I was kind of lost. This is embarrassing.

"I'm…" I cleared my throat. "Lost."

He looked at me. "You're not. I know where they are. I can't find Alice, though." Then he looked around.

"Me too. I'm looking for her. Was, actually." We continued walking this other path.

"How are you, by the way? Feeling better from last night?" He asked, concerned.

I blushed as I remembered how he found me half-naked near the lake and all. "Yeah. Thanks to Alice and, of course, to you."

"Don't worry. It was my pleasure." He smiled a crooked grin. I thought I was going to die.

That hit me and I was stunned. More like dazzled. After a few seconds, I regained my consciousness.

I could already see the cabins and the lake again, meaning we've already walked around.

"We should separate now. Your friends are going to kill you if they saw us together." Or rather they'll kill me.

"Yeah. But I do like to see you around more and I think I will be. After all, you are Alice's new friend. Bye, Bella." Then he walked away.

I walked back to my cabin. Of course, Alice was already there.

"Bella," She sighed out of relief. "I've been looking over for you. Where have you been?" She asked frantically.

"Relax, Alice." I calmed her. Should I tell her I was with her brother? Maybe that's Edward's job…"I was looking for you, too. You kept disappearing."

"Oh. I'm sorry. I was kind of carried away with how beautiful it is here." She said apologetically.

"That's fine. I understand." I was kind of carried away with how beautiful your brother was.

"Bella?" She asked.

"Alice?" I answered the same way she said my name.

"I was just wondering if you wanted to have a sleepover. Tonight." She invited.

I can't believe what I was hearing. Alice Cullen invited me over to their house? and for a sleepover. Man, she is crazy. But I loved it. And that meant that I would see Edward again. I was already squealing inside.

"Umm…Sure." I nodded then smiled.

She bounced off her bed to hug me tightly. She was dancing around saying 'yay' and mentioning about stuff we can do.

"When we get to forks, I'll let you spend a couple of hours in your house. Then I'll pick you up at around 3. No need to bring anything." She grinned. She was excited about this.

She's very good at predicting this. Psychic, I thought again. We arrived in back in Forks at around noon.

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