When I was young, and moving fast,
Nothing slowed me down, ooh slowed me down.
Now I let the others pass
I've come around, oh come around.
Living just to keep going
Going just to be sane.
All the while I know
It's such a shame
I don't need to get steady
I know just how I feel.
Telling you to be ready, my dear
-Tighten Up, The Black Keys
The drive home from Jake's seemed shorter than usual, probably because I was dreading being alone for the rest of the day. I really didn't want to sit around the house, but I didn't have the slightest urge to go shopping either. But, I couldn't avoid the inevitable. I went inside and retrieved my little cross-body purse and got some money out of my secret hiding place, my sock drawer. I wrote a note for Charlie, letting him know that I might be out late.
I didn't know where I should go shopping at, or what I wanted to get him. It was hard shopping for a guy who had no interests besides mechanics, which I knew nothing about. So, I decided to wander around Port Angeles' shopping district until I found something promising. I remembered to put my pepper spray in my back pocket, since I didn't want a repeat of a past incident in the wrong part of town. Nearly getting attacked in the middle of the night should definitely be avoided.
The winding road became straighter, and more buildings kept popping up in the green landscape. Soon, I was surrounded by cute little shops and neatly manicured yards. The sun was high in the sky, and I heard the laughing and talking of people everywhere. It was a beautiful day, one I would've loved to spend with Jacob.
I drove throughout the criss-crossing streets until I saw a cute little store with wind chimes in the window. Even if I didn't find something for Jake, I could probably find something promising in the shop.
Ding Ding, Chimed the little bell as I opened the door. "Hello! Welcome to Beatrice's Baubles! Are you looking for anything specific?" asked an older woman in a tie-dye sundress. Her name tag said Loretta. She looked like a Loretta to me, and I pictured her as a young woman in the sixties, marching for peace and playing the guitar for spare change.
"Well, I was looking for a present for my boyfriend. His birthday is in a few days," I replied quietly.
"Hmm… Is this boy a brooder, or perhaps a poetic soul?" I shook my head.
"He's more like a loveable puppy to me," I replied with a small smile.
"I have just the thing!" she answered with big eyes, leading me to a little shelf in the back corner. The grabbed a little black box and handed it to me. I opened the box, and inside was a perfect little silver heart, split down the middle, one for each of us.
"I see that you know these are perfect, and your aura is bright, so I'll tell you what. How about I engrave these for you for free?" she asked kindly.
"Oh I don't know, that's awfully nice of you but when would they be done by?" I asked shyly.
"For you darling, I'll have them done in an hour!"
"Thank you so much! But how much does this heart cost? I don't have all that much money, you know, with being a teenager and all," I said.
"Don't worry, we'll discuss payments when you come back! Now go on and have yourself some lunch! Just be sure to get back near the hour! Don't you worry about a thing!" assured Loretta.
"Oh alright if you insist. My name is Bella, and his is Jacob. Could you write Forever and Always on the back? Unless that'd be a hassle for you of course."
"That's perfectly fine by me! Adios Bella!" she said, and I took that as my cue to find a place to eat. I got in the beast and drove down the road. I had seen a promising café on my way here.
Once inside, the smell of coffee beans enveloped me. I ordered a vanilla latte and a blueberry muffin, and found myself a little table to sit at. I sipped ate in silence, but took in the scenery. There was a pretty little redhead on a guitar up front, adding to the atmosphere. The walls were painted a deep purple, and the décor was comfy. I decided that I would come here more often when I was in Port Angeles.
The hour was nearly up, so I drove back to the shop at exactly one o'clock. Loretta was at the counter with the two necklaces as promised. "They're pretty nice if I do say so myself," she said in her breezy voice, handing me the box.
"They're more than perfect Loretta. Thank you so much! So about the price," I started. She finished for me.
"Consider it a gift honey." I looked at her in surprise.
"No, no I'll pay for it!" I said stubbornly.
"Kiddo, I'm telling you, I want to give it to you free of charge. You have a good, pure soul. And I see something ahead that makes me want to give you a break now." She insisted. I looked at her quizzically, but realized she wouldn't give me any more answers. I sighed and gave in, putting the box in my bag.
"Thanks again, thank you so much," I replied.
"No problem, and Bella?"
"Yeah?"
"Feel free to stop in anytime."
"I will," I said with a smile. "Bye Loretta!"
"Later tater," she said with a laugh.
That had possibly been the weirdest shopping adventure I had ever taken, but I liked something about that woman, besides the fact that she gave me free necklaces. There was something more about her, and I knew she wasn't just some crazy hippy. Regardless, I wanted to ignore her warning about something "ahead," but it kept on nagging at me. I turned up the music in the trunk and tried to drown out my thoughts with the Black Keys.
Sooo... I haven't been on fanfiction for quite a long time! sorry to all of you waiting for another chapter! thank you so much for the reviews and please review this story if you like it, especially if you want me to keep writing! the next chapter should be up soon!
