AN: Hey lovely readers! Thanks for all the great reviews, you all truly keep me going :) Here's an extra long chapter, hopefully I'll update soon and not leave you in too much suspense.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, yadda, yadda all Katy Perry and Stephanie Meyer, yadda, yadda, I'm sad and lonely.
Apparently Pixie women needed very little sleep.
I got back from the Cullen's pretty early but Alice had me look up somethings on the Internet. Like different styles that I might want to try, and terms to look up:
Mani and Pedi: manicure and pedicure--who had to give them a nickname?
So after all my research, cooking dinner, eating it with Charlie, cleaning up afterwards, and printing out my favorite looking assembles-outfits, it was pretty late.
Once I finally passed out, luckily I didn't have my reoccurring nightmares, but it seemed like I had only been asleep for about 5 minutes when an insistent knocking could be heard coming from downstairs. I groaned crawling out of bed and stumbling towards the stairs just when my Dad stuck his head out of his room.
"Tell them to go away or I will shoot them."
I snorted as I started down the stairs. And people wonder where I get my non morning personality from.
Getting to the door, and undoing what seemed like a hundred of the most complex locks I finally pried open the door to reveal a grinning Alice.
"Morning Beautiful! Day one," I groaned and almost slammed the door in her face.
"Alice I appreciate your...eagerness, but it's Saturday. It's 8:00 on a Saturday. Most sane people are still asleep until at least 10."
Alice rolled her eyes and shoved passed me into the house, "Bella we have a very busy day ahead of us. We have to start early."
I grumbled under my breath closing the door maybe a little harder than I needed to. Alice laughed at that, "Come on, sunshine. Where's your room?"
That startled me, her brother, even her boyfriend has been in my room before to either drag me out of bed for a gig or just to hang out while Charlie had some of his more interesting fellow officers over.
"Oh, upstairs," I muttered blushing slightly and heading up the stairs. Oh lord, please don't let it be too messy!
We got to the second floor landing when my dad poked his head out of his room.
"Bells who was it?" He asked annoyed but I watched with amusement all the color drain from him face.
"Hi Chief Swan, it's just me Alice. Edward's sister." She waved happily. Charlie sputtered a few nonsense words, nodded, and then closed his door with a snap.
I had to hold onto the banister to remain upright, "Okay, now that. That right there was totally worth getting out of bed early for."
Alice threw me a wink, "And we're just getting started."
I rolled my eyes still chuckling, and lead the way into my room. It wasn't too bad. It's been a whole lot worse. I just had my school books and notebooks in a pile on my desk, a few books scattered on the floor, Gladys sitting in her tank by a model millennium falcon, Cd's overflowing my dresser by my stereo, and of course that terrifying Cosmopolitan magazine lying where I had threw it yesterday, and there it shall remain until I can burn it.
"This is my room," I sighed twirling around letting my arms fall down and slap my upper thighs. I hesitantly met Alice's eyes and was relieved to see her genuinely smiling, there was nothing placating or patronizing about it.
"Seriously cool!" I grinned at her.
"Thanks, I like it."
She looked around and stopped at my collage of pictures on my wall closest to the closet.
"Wow, I forget how close the four of you are," she murmured looking at the pictures. I shrugged walking over and standing next to her.
"They're my best friends...." I let my voice trail off as I looked at a picture of me and Edward. It was taken last summer. We had an arm around each other's shoulders. He was smiling looking down at me, and I had my head bent in laughter. It was my favorite, and my heart clenched thinking about the last few days.
"It'll be okay Bella," I looked over and saw Alice looking at me determinedly. She reached out wiped at me cheek, startling me. I didn't realize I had started crying...again. Ugh, I stepped away wiping roughly at my eyes with the back of my hand.
"I'm going to get changed, I'll be right back. Uhhh, make yourself at home." I gestured to the room at large.
I gathered up some clothes, my bathroom bag, and fled to the bathroom. I braced myself against the sink trying to take a few steadying deep breaths. It'll be okay, it'll be okay, we're fixing it-- I told myself over and over again as I washed my face. I brushed out my long hair....suddenly looking forward to shorter hair, and pulled it back in my traditional pony. I brushed my teeth, and then pulled on the rest of my clothes. I was pretty proud. I was wearing the girliest shirt I owned, a light blue scoop neck, and a pair of jeans without any holes in them.
Grabbing my pj's and bathroom bag I headed back to my room just to freeze horrified in the doorway. It looked like a hurricane ripped through my room, a hurricane named Alice. I looked around seeing a very large growing pile in the middle of the room and a very small pile at her feet. She was tearing through my closet.
I looked over my dressers and felt my mouth fall open. All the drawers have been opened and had half their contents either taken out or hanging over the sides of it.
"Alice! What the hell?!" I screeched, seeing with deep mortification the contents of my entire underwear drawer on the floor.
She jumped and looked me over, "Not bad," and she turned back to what she was doing throwing a few flannels onto the large pile. I felt my heart stop. That must be the "Get rid of" pile. If she kept this up I'll be walking around naked.
"Alice, wait stop. Stop!" I dropped my things onto my bed and went over to her. "What happened to taking it slow?" I crossed my arms.
Alice sighed and turned to me with a guilty expression, "I'm sorry Bella, but you left me here and....I couldn't resist."
I rolled my eyes, relaxing my posture a little, "Well I told you, we need to keep the farce up until the end of the summer. The guys can't know. So that," I pointed at the big pile, "is going to shrink."
Alice groaned, and then stuck out her bottom lip in a pout.
"Aww, aren't you cute. So not going to work. Only Emmett has managed to pull off that face with me. You should ask him to give you some pointers."
Alice stuck her tongue out at me but thankfully stepped away from my closet.
"Fine, but there a somethings that can not wait until the end of summer to be thrown away. Mainly the flannel and your underwear."
I felt the blush burning my cheeks again, "Hey flannel is comfortable! And whats wrong with my underwear?!"
Alice pulled a face of pure disgust, "There's a lot of things one may find comfortable but should never, ever wear in public. Subject A: the flannel!" I sighed nodding. Sorry flannel...we've had a good run, I'm sorry we have to end this way...
"As for your underwear," she actually shuddered as if it offended her, "You only have white cotton high tops panties and sport bras!"
I shrugged and opened my mouth to reply but Alice cut me off sounding frustrated, "If you say it's comfortable I might strangle you with the horrid flannel."
My mouth snapped shut with a click of my teeth, that was exactly what I was going to say.
"Well all of that crap is going today. The guys won't, or shouldn't be seeing any of it so there shouldn't be any objections! Are you wearing a sports bra right now?" She narrowed her eyes, frightening me.
I nodded lowering my face in shame. She groaned.
"Okay, that's it. You're sleeping over tonight and we're having a ritual burning of the sports bras." I couldn't help laughing, that sounded so ridiculous. Alice laughed too, but gave me a look like it's going to happen.
I sighed nodding.
For the next hour and a half we went through my clothes together and managed to fill one garbage bag of clothes to get rid of and smaller bag containing all my sport bras and one copy of Cosmopolitan to be burned later on. I had a great time arguing, defending a few articles of clothing, and laughing at a few really bad clothing choices with Alice. This might not be so bad after all.
Nearing 10:00 a.m. I gathered those bags, a small overnight bag, and a purse that Alice had pulled from the very back of my closet (I didn't even know existed) and headed out the door with Alice. Charlie either fell back asleep, or was hiding in his room until we left.
On the way to Port Angeles, we stop at a restaurant to get an early lunch and swapped embarrassing stories about the boys and our own likes and dislikes. Alice reminded me about our sleepover extravaganza planned for tonight, and that I should probably should let Charlie know. To say he was surprised would be an understatement of the century but after finding his voice he said that would be fine and to have fun. I hung up, hoping I would...that this wouldn't all blow up in my face.
When we finally did get to the salon, I felt like we've always been friends. A true test of my new respect towards Alice came when I was introduced to her favorite hairstylist Gaston and I didn't laugh out loud.
I had bite down on the inside of my cheek but I was happy that I managed to resist the urge.
He pulled my hair back and started cutting the largest chunk off. I had to close my eyes, I couldn't watch. He asked if I wanted to keep what he cut off, or see it. I just kept eyes closed and told him I wanted it donated to locks of love.
He said okay, and really got to work. He was clipping and brushing away until I feared there was nothing left. When he finally stopped he told me to open my eyes and see if there was anything I wanted him to change.
Very slowly I peeked open one eye and then the other flew open. I almost didn't recognize myself, and it was only a haircut.
Gaston had cut it into layers, some of the shorter layers were used to frame (another term I learned last night) my face. The longest length rested just a little bit past my shoulders. My hair had a natural curl to it and for the first time it was beautiful instead of looking like a wild creature growing out top of my head. I turned my head and was surprised at how easy it was to turn it now, as if ten pounds had been removed...maybe it had.
"So what do you think?" Alice asked anxiously her head popping up next to mine in the mirror.
I smiled, "I like it. It's great." It really was.
What wasn't great was wax.
That hurt like a....Alice told me I should try to cut back on the swearing but sometimes only one word can fit a situation....bitch. That's what it hurt like. And they didn't even change! All that stinging and only the outlines of them were evened out.
I wanted to scream, but luckily the manicure and pedicure was nice. I picked out a navy blue, to match my blue clothing theme I had going on, to be painted on both my toes and fingers.
Alice insisted on paying for it all. She said it was her way of thanking me, because even though this was for me...she was having a blast.
I blushed, and allowed her to do so. But when we got to the shopping center, I almost tackled a pretzel maker over in my haste to buy us a snack.
We wandered around eating our pretzels, mainly window shopping- to look at clothes and items in the store's front windows and not buy anything.
Once we were finished, Alice dragged me bodily into a Victoria's Secret. Growing up as one of the guys, you know what they like, and how to tease them about it later. Victoria's Secret was a big one.
"No way Alice ain't going to happen!" I dug my heels into the ground while she pulled on me using all her body weight trying to get me to move.
"Bella! Be reasonable," she huffed, getting winded from overexertion, "You're currently wearing the only underwear you have left. Unless you plan on washing them everyday, to wear them over and over again, you need to buy new stuff!"
She yanked on my arms again, "And look! They're having a sale, it doesn't get any better than this."
Damn her and her logic. I sighed and relaxed—big mistake. Since Alice was still pulling on me with all her might, when I gave in, we kind of flew into the store and into a lady.
"Shit, I'm so sorry!" I gushed helping the woman and a giggling Alice to their feet.
"It's okay...oh hey Bella!" I blinked and felt myself pale.
"Hey Rosalie," I looked over at Alice with wide eyes, who started laughing harder.
"What are you guys doing here, together and did you get a haircut?" Rosalie asked looking between the two of us confused.
I felt myself blushing, humiliated. I actually reached up to cover my face.
I heard Alice take a couple of deep breaths and answer Rosalie, "Yes, she just got a haircut. Isn't fabulous? And we're shopping. What do you think we're doing?"
I peeked through my fingers and watched Rosalie roll her eyes and bend down to pick up the various things I made her drop. I saw something red and lacy and I covered my face again. This so wasn't happening.
"I didn't know you two hung out, calm down wee one." I swear I heard Alice grin as she started to talk.
"Bella and I are going to be very close friends this summer, isn't that right Bella?" I nodded behind my hands.
Hearing Alice sigh, I felt my hands being yanked away revealing Rosalie looking gorgeous but also amused and suspicious.
"Do the guys know of this new friendship?" She asked crossing her arms with her selections tucked under her arm, out of view.
"No, it's none of their business," I said matter-of-factly.
I didn't want to hurt Alice's feelings but I didn't want Rosalie running her mouth off to people she shouldn't.
She smirked. Oh that can't be good...
"Well then you better hide. I'm here with Emmett, Tanya and Edward. Well technically just Tanya right now, Edward dragged Emmett off to a music store."
I started seeing spots and feeling extremely lightheaded.
"Oh nice one, thanks Rose," I heard Alice mutter sarcastically and then in more soothing voice, "Come on Bella, I'll get you out of sight."
I nodded numbly, not really paying attention to where we were going.
"Sit Bella, it's ok. We're safe now." I sat down and blinked a few times trying to focus. The lights were dimer and had very little moving room.
"Alice, where the hell am I?" I asked, but felt my eyes growing as realization sunk in. Damn pixie she used my freaking out to get me into a trying on room.
I glared at her furious, to which she grinned cheekily.
"Well two birds one stone..." She held up several different colors and types of bras in one hand and near armful of multi-colored/multi-fabric panties.
I groaned letting my head collide with one of the walls. I started to replayed what caused my little episode in the first place. Edward was here, in the mall. And he came with Rosalie, Emmett and Tanya.
I groaned again squeezing my eyes shut, maybe this whole thing was pointless.
Alice grabbed me roughly by shoulders, "This isn't pointless!" oops did I say that out loud?
"Bella, don't give up and let her win!" she spat out her like it was dirty word, which made me smile a little and look up at her, "He does care for you. He just needs time to figures it out, but when he does he'll have to get in line because guys will be climbing all over each other trying to get at you. They are not a couple. She honestly isn't his type."
I felt tears welling up in my eyes, and I jumped up and pulled Alice into a hug.
"Thank you....thank you for everything Alice, you're a great friend," I whispered into her shoulder.
Alice patted my back, "I know." I laughed and pulled back to see her beaming face.
"Now, I didn't know your size...so this should be fun!" She gestured to the small mound of underwear now sitting on the seat I vacated.
I sighed laughing nervously, yeah fun...
After about an hour locked up in that room with Alice running back and forth from the store to the room. We managed to figure out my bra size and I already knew my pantie size, and picked out several different styles of both.
Alice said the blue of my shirt really brought out my skin tone, so we focused on picking out underwear in the cooler colors- blues, greens, purples, and black. She insisted that we got them in matching sets—the bras and panties, if anyone was to see them it'd better if they were matching. I started blushing furiously at that, and she added that if I felt confident, even sexy in the underwear I was wearing I would project that outward in my actions.
I thought that was interesting and worth a shot, but even with the "sale" I still spent a small fortune on all of it. Alice offered to pay for it, but no way was she buying my unmentionables on top of everything else.
Walking around the mall I wasn't as carefree as I was before. Seeing Rosalie, and hearing that Edward could still be here totally killed my buzz.
Alice having mercy on me declared us done for the day and that we should head back to her house and let the sleepover festivities commence. I giggled slightly at that, the pyro inside was looking forward to our little bonfire but I felt a little guilty.
We were heading back to forks, and even though she wasn't as crazy as her brother, Alice still sped her little yellow Porche around. I was staring at my lap as I gently reached over and touched her hand.
"Hey Alice, you don't have to let me sleepover. If you have other plans, I totally understand..."
"Bella!" I looked over and saw her looking at me incredulously, "This was my idea, remember?"
She glanced back over the road and sighed, "Bella, you don't have any girl friends, and truth is I don't really either. I wasn't kidding when I said we're going to be best friends."
I've really been reduced to a blubbering mess lately as I felt the now all to familiar stinging of my eyes.
"Thanks Alice, I don't think I'll ever be able to thank you enough," I choked out and she squeezed my hand.
"Just remember best friend, that I look best in silver when you're picking out brides maid dresses."
My laughter carried us the rest of the way into Forks and to her house. Pfft, yeah like I'd be getting married anytime soon.
Parking in the garage I noticed Edward's silver Volvo sitting there. "Oh I guess Em picked him up for the mall extravaganza."
Alice nodded and slipped out gracefully. I tripped out and made my way to the trunk. There I slipped some of the new underwear I bought, a dark blue bra and pantie set, into my overnight bag and kept the rest locked firmly in Alice's trunk. I quickly pulled my new styled hair into a pony tail, as to not draw attention to myself.
"Come on Bellie Bells! You're taking forever, and a sleepover waits for no woman," Alice whined by the door leading into the rest of the house.
I rolled my eyes at her choice of a nickname, but picked up my step. Alice grinned at me as she lead the way into the house through the laundry room and kitchen.
"Honey I'm home!" She called out, causing me to laugh.
"Hey girls!" Esme greeted us stirring something that smelled a little like heaven. All I knew about cooking I learned from her and that stove.
"Hey momma,"we chorused together, laughing at each other. Esme's smile grew and she laughed a little with us.
"Staying the night Bella?" She pointed at the bag in my hand with a sauce covered spoon.
"Yes, if that's alright?" I had barely finished the sentence, with Esme already nodding in agreement.
"Dinner's at 6 girls, and your brother finally showed up Alice. He even brought a friend," We looked confusedly at each other as we left the comfort of the kitchen for the rest of the house.
"A friend?" I looked at Alice questioningly. As far as I know the guys and myself are Edward's closest friends and only hang out buddies. But who was it if Esme didn't say it was like Emmett or Jasper?...
Alice was shrugging when she froze wide eyed, staring straight at me. I felt my face pale and my blood turn icy, I had heard it too.
I high pitched female giggle, quickly followed by, "You're so funny Eddie!"
hahaha, no I'm not evil. :P Reviews = love, thanks! -paperairplanes
