A/N: I intend on having way too much fun with this chapter and the next few :D hope you like!
The drive to the Newton's hiking store was lonely compared to the last 24 hours. The past day, despite the intense shopping and makeover, was one of the best days I've had in a long time. And the streak was about to end, I was almost positive. Now I was going to have to survive the wrath of Mike. Mike was a good friend, but I didn't see him the way he sees me at all. He was still extremely stubborn and would not stop trying to get me to go on at least one date with him. He reminded me of a golden retriever, loyal and always there to try to help, which got rather annoying. Mike's perseverance to my cause as astonishing, why would anyone try so hard for someone who clearly doesn't want them back?
I pulled into the front of the store, collected my thoughts and walked into the store.
"Hiya Bella," Mike greeted as I came in.
"Hey Mike," I replied, "Sorry I'm a few minutes late, I lost track of time at a friends place."
"No problem Bella, I knew you'd show up eventually," he teased. The way he said it made it sound like he thought I was showing up to see him.
I sighted and pulled on my vest, "Sorry about you and Jessica... again."
Mike couldn't help but chuckle a little bit, "So you heard already eh? Oh well, Jess isn't the one I'm interested in."
I felt a little creeped out that he was flirting with me so much at work these days, Mike will be Mike I suppose. "Yeah she wanted to meet up yesterday to tell me, she broke up with me too, but you know, in the friendship sort of way." I didn't want to give Mike the wrong impression so he could have freaky fantasies.
"That's too bad, did she blame you again?"
"Of course," I realized then that I liked Mike more than I cared to admit, although it was really just as a friend. He was like the boy next door, and I told him most things. It helped to be brutally honest with him, but not that much. He still pretended to be oblivious to the fact that I didn't want to date him.
The next couple of hours went by quite smoothly, Mike didn't attempt to flirt too much, but then we actually had a fairly consistent customer flow throughout the day. I had just finished taking the payment for a pair of boots when he walked in. I couldn't believe my luck! I had never seen this god of a man until yesterday, and here he was in my place of employment. He was even more gorgeous than I remembered.
I'm not sure why I did it, but I got out from behind the cashier register to go and help him hoping I wouldn't stumble on my words or my feet too much. "Hello, can I help you find anything?" I asked.
He looked in my direction and smiled his heart melting crooked smile that I had discovered yesterday, "Yes, that would be lovely, thanks. I need a tent big enough for 4 people and 4 sleeping bags."
"Sure, no problem," I responded leading him towards the tent.
"Do I know you from somewhere?" the man asked, "You seem familiar."
"Umm," I blushed and tried to look away, his eyes were just as mesmerizing as Emmett's, "I believe I'm the one who ran into you yesterday at Starbucks."
"Oh right, I remember now." Of course, I should have known he wouldn't remember someone like me, even if I did destroy his shirt with coffee. I wasn't even sure if I had spilled coffee on him, I was too transfixed with his face.
"Yes, I'm very sorry about that, as you can tell I'm still extremely embarrassed about that."
"It's okay, it wasn't all that bad."
"So what price range were you looking for for the tent? The more expensive the tent is usually means that the material is thicker so it's more water resistant. Highly recommended for camping anywhere in Washington." I was so glad I was able to stay relatively calm, despite the constant heat on my face.
"Well, then, in that case get me the most expensive one you've got." Great, amazing looks and money. I grabbed the tent he wanted and went to drop it off by the cash register along the way to the sleeping bags.
"Planning a camping trip soon?" I asked. I realized how stupid of a question that was because it was clear that was what he was doing. I rolled my eyes at myself.
"Yes, normally my family would have enough room with the 2 tents we already have, but my sister invited another friend."
"Ah I see, so you need a 4 person tent for 2 people?" I teased.
He grinned, "My sister really likes her space, she tends to bring more clothes than what is necessary."
"Gotcha," I replied it made me think of Alice, "What do you need 4 sleeping bags for then?"
"Oh well some of ours are getting old and worn, I decided it was time for some new ones."
"Good plan, were you wanting the most expensive ones again?" I smiled, I couldn't believe how happy I was just talking to this stranger, it was very enjoyable.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," he winked.
From the corner of my eye I could see Mike watching us, it was funny how jealous he looked for absolutely no reason at all.
"Anything else for you?" I asked.
"Nope, I think that's all for today."
"Alright, I'll just ring your stuff through then."
That's when it happened, the man was just in front of me and somehow I managed to once again, trip over my own feet. I went flying, face first, into the mans back before falling to the floor.
"Are you okay?" The angelic man asked. He reached out a hand to help me up.
I nodded and accepted his hand. When I was standing once again, I couldn't take my eyes off of his. They were so beautiful, an emerald color that was simply enchanting. When I managed to snap out of my trance, I noticed that he was still holding my hand. I blushed and gently but regrettably pulled my hand out of his.
"Thank you," I said and started the dangerous journey to the cash register once again.
"It was my pleasure," he replied extremely composed.
Mike was behind the cash register now, glaring at the man as I rang in the items he wanted to purchase.
"Okay, and your total comes to 577. 86." He smiled at me as he passed me his credit card, I flipped it over to check the signature and handed him the receipt to sign. His hand writing was as beautiful as he was, was there anything this man wasn't perfect at? I handed him back his credit card. E Cullen I read as I looked at his signature on the receipt. Damn, why didn't I think to check for his first name on his credit card?
I then remembered that he was still there, standing right in front of me. I smiled, "Thank you, if you have any problems with your purchases don't hesitate to bring them back."
He nodded, "Thank you so much for all of your help, I'm sure that I will be back soon." He then turned to walk out of the store glancing back once and smiling.
"What a nice man," I sighed, I couldn't waste this amazing opportunity to torment Mike.
"Yes, quite," he snarled.
"Only an hour left until close. Tonight really flew by didn't it?" Time really didn't seem to exist today, maybe it was because I was in such a good mood. I never expected that I'd ever get to see the Greek God again, I must have done something right recently.
"So Bella, what are you doing Saturday night?" Mike asked me.
"Nothing Mike, why what's up? Did you need me to cover a shift?"
"No no, nothing like that. I was wondering if you would like to go for dinner and a movie with me."
"Mike, for the last time..." I fumed, but he cut me off.
"Pllllease Bella?" he asked looking at me with his puppy dog face. Stupid golden retriever, "Just one date that's all I ask, and then I won't be so persistent any more if you really don't want to date me."
"Okay, fine," I grumbled. Then gaped. What did I just agree too? I decided it blame it on my extremely cheery mood, which wasn't so cheery anymore. Then I walked away to go stock some of the shelves.
I was very happy to get to walk out of those doors that night. The last hour seemed longer than the last week due to the awkwardness between Mike and I. I drove away from the foul place that was the Newton's store relieved to be going home.
When I walked into the my apartment, the phone was ringing. I hurried to get to it. "Hello?"
"Hey Bella, it's me Alice!"
"Oh hey, how was your night?"
"Quite wonderful," she giggled. I wondered what could have made her so happy.
"What's with the giggles?"
"Oh nothing, so I was wondering if you wanted to come camping with me and my family this weekend. We always go the last weekend before school starts."
"Well I'm supposed to be going on a date with Mike."
"What about Ee--. Never mind," she stopped herself and started giggling again. I quickly explained the situation and that I was very uninterested in Mike and was trying to get him off my back. "Well then bring Mike with you. I got a call from the cashier at the Blockbuster. His name is Jasper, he's going to come camping too. He's also going to bring his twin sister Rosalie."
"Awesome! Sounds like a party," I said, "But I'm going to head to bed now Alice, thanks for the invite, I'll call Mike tomorrow to see if he wants to come."
"Yay!" Alice cheered, "We leave tomorrow night around 7:00, see you then!"
I hung up the phone after saying good bye and went to throw on my pj's. As I was getting into my bed and drifting asleep, I wondered if I'd get to meet Edward on this camping trip.
A/N: So it really didn't take as long as I thought it would to write this chapter, it really just flowed out of me. Now I have to think up something mischievous for the trip.