A/N: As always, thanks for the reviews and PM's. I replied to all of them but occasionally error messages came up so I don't know who actually received their reply or not, sorry! I wanted to make Bella someone who did stand up for the things that are really important to her, otherwise she is pretty much the same Bella as in the book. Enjoy!

Chapter 12

Priorities

I was really annoyed with Jacob, but tried my hardest to stay focused on the task at hand. Edward had left us after lunch to do whatever he had to do. Alice and I were in one store in a fitting room and she was chatting up a storm. She was looking for a dress for her cousin's Bat Mitzvah and a homecoming dress.

"So Bella, are you excited for homecoming?" Alice asked.

"I'm excited for the game, but not so much the dance," I admitted.

"Oh, it'll be so much fun! You said Jacob is coming?"

"Yeah. They don't have a football team so it's still exciting, just not as hyped up," I explained.

"Oh then this should be a blast! Okay what do you think of this one?" she asked, standing outside the door of my fitting room. I opened the door, my dress still not zipped in the back, to see Alice standing in a gorgeous golden knee length dress with a copper tie around the waist. She looked absolutely stunning. Alice Cullen could wear a trash bag and still be a super model.

"Alice that's beautiful! Were you planning on that for homecoming or the Bat Mitzvah?"

"I was thinking homecoming but I may just buy this anyway. I'm not sure if it's too much. Let's talk about what you're wearing, though! Turn around so I can zip you up," she said, her eyes wide and taking in the red dress that I adorned. It was fairly low cut and showed some cleavage. It had spaghetti straps and some ruffles on it. I will admit, I don't like ruffles. "Bella you look amazing in this but I think the blue or purple dress would look better on you. Next!" With that, she swooped herself back into her own dressing room and closed the door to mine on her way out. A few minutes later she was outside my dressing room again. Meanwhile I was tripping into a blue dress.

"I'm coming Alice, hold on."

This was a royal blue halter dress that I have to admit, I loved on me. It made my boobs look great, stopped just above me knees, and flattered my body. As I opened the door, Alice was wearing a deep purple strapless dress that also stopped just above her knees.

"Alice, that's the dress!" I exclaimed excitedly.

"Well I'll wear something over it for the Bat Mitzvah but I agree and love it. You on the other hand, oh my gosh! Bella just…wow! This is it!" Alice exclaimed excitedly. She hooked the back of the halter strap for me then turned me around toward the big mirror on the side of the wall. I pulled my hair out of the ponytail and the layers cascaded down my shoulders. This was my dress. Charlie would definitely have his gun ready when he saw me in this. I didn't even know what Jake's reaction would be, I just hoped he liked it.

"Okay Bella, now for shoes. Go get changed. I'll be finished in a minute," she said ecstatically as she ran back into her fitting room.

When we were back in normal clothes walking around towards the shoe section, Alice got a text from Edward. She giggled as she read it to me:

'Edward: are you two even finished trying on dresses yet?'

'Alice: Yes! We only tried on a few before we found them.'

'Edward: Wow! I'm impressed. I'll be somewhere around. I hope shoes go just as quickly.'

'Alice: I'll be nice and use a pair I already have.'

Alice was clicking away and I didn't thinking anything of it. She sure was a fast typist. What I didn't know was the extent of their conversation.

'Edward: I know you have trouble seeing them, but will Jacob be making an appearance anytime today?'

'Alice: I can see Bella and I getting home with you so I'm assuming not. My best guess would be a phone call.'

'Edward: Well I still can't hear her so keep me posted. I'm glad she's getting out for a bit and having a normal afternoon with friends.'

'Alice: Me too. Her dress is amazing by the way! I can't wait for everyone to see it!'

'Edward: I can't wait too, even though she'll be with another guy. You have a dress for our 'cousin's Bat Mitzvah'? Good excuse to go shopping.'

'Alice: Thanks! I thought so too, and it clearly worked. By the way, even though you don't have a date, you will still have a great time at homecoming, I promise. Talk to you later!'

Alice had me try on about 15 pairs of shoes. I kept telling her that I was going to fall flat on my face, but she didn't' seem to care. I tried on blue shoes of various shades, black shoes, silver shoes, beige shoes, all shoes. My favorite were some lighter blue shoes with a small pointed heel. Alice tried to talk me into shoes with a higher heel but gave in when I told her that I wouldn't take any pictures with her at the dance. I love Alice to pieces and was beyond thankful for all of her help, but I had to win at least one battle.

We paid for our dresses and anything else we had. Alice also bought hair accessories and jewelry for both dresses. I just bought my dress and shoes. Alice tried talking me into accessories but I put my foot down to them. They were way too extravagant for me, so I would just wear something of mine that is simple.

After we paid, we began walking back towards the parking lot. Edward met up with us as we passed an older looking bookstore. I made a mental note to come back there. It definitely wasn't a chain store so they may have some interesting reads. Edward was carrying a couple of bags, himself.

"So Bella, Alice didn't influence you too much did she?" Edward asked smiling, and clearly knowing his sister.

"She was very helpful since this isn't my forte, but I put my foot down when I needed to," I said smirking at her. Alice was doing a great job at pretending to look grumpy.

"I'm so excited for everyone to see your whole outfit though Bella! You are so beautiful!" Alice said genuinely. I blushed.

"I just can't wait to see you in your dress and all dolled up. Jaws will be hitting the floor," I joked.

"Oh, come on, Alice dresses up all the time. No offense Alice, but as gorgeous as you will be, people will be more surprised to see you," Edward said with his eyes locked on me. There was something about his eyes that were different. All of the Cullens, now that I think of it. Usually they looked copper colored or a light brown, but today they looked darker. I'll have to make a note to look that up. All of a sudden Alice stopped walking and just kind of stared into space. Edward didn't look surprised. But after about three seconds Alice just grinned and looked at me.

"I'm so sorry, I think I just left my cell phone in a fitting room. I'll be quick. Edward, here are the keys if you want to pull the car up otherwise I'll meet you at the car," she said quickly as she turned around and was already a few stores away. I looked at Edward to see what he wanted to do.

"Well, let's start walking to the car, I guess. You heard the boss," he said as he started walking. "So did you actually have fun today?"

"Yeah I did. Alice sure is a whirlwind when shopping. I'm glad I came since I wouldn't have really known where to start without her."

"Well I'm glad this was a successful trip then."

"What did you get?" I asked politely, reciprocating the question from earlier.

"I got a couple of books, a new pair of shoes, and a new dress shirt, both her homecoming."

"Cool, do you have a date?" I asked hesitantly.

"No, I'll be going with Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett. There are always some single girls there if I want to dance, but I don't mind going alone if I'm not in a relationship or something."

"Well it should be fun," I said, trying to keep the flow of the conversation.

"Bella I know we aren't best friends or anything, but do you really think it'll be fun?"

"Okay no, not at all. It'll be pure torture. I don't really want to go at all but it's making my friends and boyfriend happy, so I figured I'd try to make the best of it." I said honestly.

"Now that sounds more like the Bella I know."

As we were walking out the door towards the parking lot, one of the handles on a shopping bag broke. I tripped over the bag and knew that this trip to the floor would be embarrassing in front of Edward. The thing was, I never hit the floor. I landed into something cold and hard, and it was surrounding me. I started to look up and Edward's face came into view. His eyes were about six inches from mine and I was being held in his arms. I had no clue why he felt so cold, but I was more grateful for him catching me. I had no clue how long we stood there, but there was something comforting about looking into his eyes. Something safe but adventurous at the same time.

"Um, here let me carry that for you," Edward said smoothly as he picked up my broken bag and made sure I was steadily back on my feet.

"Thank you."

"Not a problem Bella, just looking out for you as always," he said with a smile. He always looks out for me? What is that supposed to mean?

We had been walking slowly for a bit until we finally arrived at the car. Alice was sitting on the hood casually, texting someone on her phone and giggling.

"Gosh, I'm surprised I beat you. I admit I took a shortcut back once I got my phone," Alice said perkily.

"We ended up strolling, sorry we took so long Alice," Edward said smirking. I didn't really get the joke since they were clearly in on something. But hey, they were siblings. I expected them to have some inside jokes.

The car ride home was uneventful since we were mostly worn out from walking around most of the afternoon. Well, I was at least. Alice never seemed to lose energy. It was just before dinnertime so I knew I would have time to make dinner for Charlie.

"Thank you so much for driving and helping out Alice, I couldn't have pulled this off without you," I said gratefully as we turned onto my street.

"Not a problem at all! Thank you for coming with me. Our mission was completed and we will look amazing at the dance!"

"Um, Bella, I'm sorry for any problems we may cause," Edward said hesitantly.

"Huh? What are you-" I started asking, until I saw who was sitting on my front steps. Today of all days, I was not in the mood for this. "Edward, Alice, none of this is your fault. I'm sorry for anything you hear. Thank you again for today and I'll see you at school on Monday." I got out of the car and prepared for the wrath of my boyfriend.

"Hey Jake," I said casually.

"Bella," he responded shortly. "So how was your trip this afternoon?"

"Actually very fun. Alice and I both found dresses for the dance, and one for her cousin's Bat Mitzvah. We got shoes too," I said as if we were having a normal conversation. I wasn't trying to piss him off, just keep him calmer. I knew we wouldn't get anywhere if we were both pissed off.

"Well, I'm glad you had fun. Any other plans you're going to hide from me?"

"Jacob Black, I told you once and I'll tell you again: you do not control who I hang out with, what I do, or when I do it. If you feel you can do that, then maybe we need to rethink us." That was one of the hardest things I've ever said. I walked in the house and Jake followed me in to the living room. The expression on Jake's face changed dramatically. His face changed from angry to shocked to sad.

"Bella you would really end what we have over the Cull-, over some stupid shopping date?" Jake asked, actually a little bit scared.

"No. I could care less that is has to do with the Cullens or shopping. This only has to do with the fact that you seem to think that you can control me." I somehow got a burst of courage to walk right up to him and stand right in of him, tall and proud. Well, tall for me.

"Are you wearing new perfume?" Jake asked, looking quite confused. So I stood up for myself in front of I believe could be the love of my life and he asks if I'm wearing new perfume?

"No Jake, I am not wearing new perfume, I should smell like Bella."

"Have you washed that sweatshirt recently?" he asked, trying to figure out what smelled.

"Yes I have. I washed it earlier this week and have only worn it twice since."

"Weird. So are you making dinner for when Charlie gets home?"

"I'm only making dinner for Charlie and I until this conversation is over," I said, very clearly standing my ground.

""Bells look, I really am sorry. But I'm not backing down either." He was really being serious about this. Tears were beginning to form in my eyes but I hoped Jake didn't notice. I walked over to the door and held it open, waiting for him to walk out. "Really Bella?" he asked, genuinely hurt.

"Jacob I will not be controlled, especially about who I am friends with." I wasn't facing the door, so the noises that heard I assumed were just neighbors or things outside. Charlie was rolling Billy into the front door. It was pretty obvious that they realized they walked in when something important was happening.

"Hey kids," Charlie said awkwardly.

"Okay Jake what did you do?" Billy said, getting straight to the point. If I was in any other mood I would have cracked a smile. But no, not right now.

"Nothing Dad. We can work it out on our own," Jake said, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Jacob Ephraim Black if this has anything to do with Bella's social circle, you can march yourself right out my front door until you can be a bit more accepting of others' opinions. You and your dad, though I love you both dearly, have given me crap for years about my regards of the Cullens," Charlie stated, proudly standing his ground. My jaw dropped, and I looked at my dad with a new found respect. He just stood up for me to his best friend.

"Charlie, you know the Cullens and Quileutes have never gotten along because of our religious and tribal beliefs-," but Charlie interrupted Billy.

"I completely understand that, since they also seem to avoid you. But I thought that you could at least accept that mine and Bella's religious beliefs do not clash with them, just like ours don't clash with yours. So can we all accept that or not?" Charlie asked. This seemed more like Chief Swan than just Charlie. Jake's jaw dropped, and Billy was staring at Charlie while having a mental battle: to be the chief of his tribe, or Charlie's best friend. Jake looked at Billy, waiting for his decision. It felt like we were standing there for hours.

"Fine. I can't say we won't be concerned about any interaction, but we know when to mind our own business, even if we aren't very good at it," Billy finalized, aiming that last comment at Jake.

"Yes sir." Jake knew he was talking as tribal elder versus his father.

"Glad to hear it Billy, Jake. So are you two okay?" Charlie asked, looking back and forth between us. Jake looked over at Billy as if silently asking if it was alright. Billy made a gesture to imply that it was his choice. I could literally see through his face that his heart broke when I was making him choose. I hated doing it, but I refused to be controlled by someone who claims to love me that much. Sometimes people need to learn by experience. So far I've learned that I have nothing to fear when it comes to the Cullens. Now I would learn where Jake's priorities lay. If he chooses to stay with me, I will be over the moon with happiness. If he chooses his beliefs, I will be heartbroken, but respect his choice. I wouldn't agree with his beliefs, but I would respect them. Jake was taking forever to have his mental battle. What would he choose?

A/N: Cliffy! So I already have half of the next chapter written. My goal is to have it up by Tuesday at the latest but we'll see Leave some reviews please! 3