An hour later we were still shopping, and I had stopped questioning Rosalie, since she was extremely guarded around her words… she wasn't going to slip up any time soon. She obviously wanted to take her time with shopping, so I did everything possible to speed up the trip, getting everything from her list in record time, since I was on a mission to find out the real motive behind our trip.

Now I think she was just picking random stuff just to waste time.

I sighed loudly, "Rosalie, what on earth could you possibly need lamp oil for?" I'd switched from a parade of questions to whining, and it was working; Rosalie was working hard to keep her composure.

"School project." She said shortly.

"Seriously?"

"It's on the list."

"Can I see the list?" That's another thing; she wouldn't actually let me see that stupid list of hers.

"In a minute," she said dismissively, "Which one?" She held out a bottle of the orange oil under my nose.

I took a whiff of the one she had in her hand, "Tangerine," I said, recognizing the scent, "It's nice. Get that one and let's go."

She rolled her eyes impatiently, "Yes it's nice but will it get sickening if you're smelling it for a few hours?"

"What?! What kind of school experiment will have you inhaling lantern fuels for hours?"

"It might take a long time to get the project done, and I don't want to get sick from smelling this stuff."

"Then just get the unscented one."

She ignored me and went for an identical bottle with brown liquid in it. "How about this one?"

I shook my head at that one too, "I don't understand, are you putting this in a car engine or something?"

She looked at me like I was mentally challenged, "Yea, because that's what they teach us class… how to run your car on alternative fuels … a college tuition well spent." She mused sarcastically, unable to hold back her laughter.

"Well, you said you were experimenting!" I said defensively, "And you're a mechanical engineering major. I'm just doing the math here."

"You're math is way off. OK, what about this one?" She held a bottle with red liquid and unscrewed the cap.

"Rose, I really don't care, can we go back alrea—," but she thrust the bottle under my nose, "Oh, mm, apple? I like that one."

She smiled. "OK, then apple it is." She screwed the cap back on and I followed her out of the isle.

"Alright, lets go back now." I urged.

"No, I still need … lighter fluid."

I sighed loudly, "Fine." I rushed past her and worked my way around the isles until I found it. "Here," I trust the small can on her, "So, Rose…" I mused aloud while she analyzed the can. "What do you think Emmett is doing right now?"

"For the millionth time, I STILL don't know!" She snapped angrily, marching over to the cashier.

I laughed quietly as she paid for her stuff. "So we're going back to the dorms now, right?" I asked her.

She shook her head, "One more stop."

"Rosalieeeee." I whined, "What else have you got to get?"

"Just. One. More. Thing." We walked out of the store and down the street to a small old jewelry store where Rosalie handed something to the attendant who nodded and went to the back, returning minutes later with a small box. She put the bag in the box and handed it to Rosalie who told me later was a present for her mother she had to have sized.

"Can we go back now?" I whined again.

"What is your hurry?!"

"I'm tired. And Alice is forcing me to try on that thing she's making for her class that she wants me to model. I just want to get that over with."

"Well, she's not back yet so just chill!"

Gotcha!

"Not back from where?" I asked innocently.

Rose's eyes widened for a second. "What?" She played for time.

"You said she's not back yet. I thought you said you didn't know where she was?" I hid my triumphant grin.

"Oh … I don't, I mean she's probably not back yet."

But I couldn't keep the grin off my face for much longer, "Back from where?"

"From, uh, whatever she was doing," She said, not meeting my eyes.

"Hmmm… isn't it funny that she and Jasper and Emmett all randomly disappeared at the same time?"

"No. They're all… studying together." She said, obviously flustered.

"I thought you said Emmett was at the gym." I said coolly, crossing my hands over my chest and staring at her.

"Um, he was."

"Then how could he be studying with Jasper and Alice? Especially since you don't know where they are? How could Emmett know where they are?" I've got her! I've SO got her!

She fumbled for words as we made our way back to her car. "I don't know. Look, I was just guessing."

I nodded along, "Sure. So when are you expecting Alice to be back?"

"Not until la—, I mean I don't know! WILL YOU STOP WITH THE QUESTIONS?" She slammed the driver's side door shut tightly as I got in.

I was silent for a second, unable to contain my glee, but working hard to keep myself cool. "Alright, Rosalie, one more question and then I stop."

She sighed, "Fine."

"Where's your silk robe?"

That was clearly not what Rosalie was expecting; she dropped her keys and immediately rushed to grab them by her feet, hiding her face from view… but a glimpse of it told me that she was bright red. "I… don't know what you're talking about. Robe? The red terrycloth one? In my bathroom," Her voice was muffled as she was still grasping around for her keys.

I rolled my eyes and waited for her to sit back up, staring at her while staying completely silent, waiting for her to admit what we both knew.

She looked up, taking one look at my face, "What?" She asked innocently.

"Rosalie." I said smoothly, "Where's your silver silk robe."

Her eyes finally met mine, and she sighed in defeat, slumping her shoulders, "Its at Jasper's." She finally admitted.

--


I walked back into my dorm after saying goodbye to Rosalie. After I had calmed down at my triumph over her, she laughed, finally seeing the funny side of it as I told her how I'd been trying to get it out of her all night. I tried to ask her about what happened with her getting into trouble, but she refused. The deal was that 'nothing changed and League stuff was top secret and I wasn't to acknowledge the fact that I knew about her or anyone else I may suspect'. Her words, not mine.

Now I knew that almost all my friends were in it. Almost. Edward, I was positive, wasn't in it at this point. But that didn't matter yet. I'd get him in it when I got in.

If I got in.

Once I kicked off my shoes, I immediately went to throw myself onto my bed, but the glimpse of parchment on my desk stopped me.

My exhaustion took a back seat as I ran over to open the envelope.

Dear Bella,

We are thrilled to see that you have chosen to continue and wish you the best of luck on your final mission. We pray that while you are out there, stumbling through the wayward path, you bear in mind that no man is a failure who has Friends, and he who does in never truly alone. To quote Emerson "The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, not the joy of companionship. It is the Spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone Else believes in you and is willing to trust you with friendship."

Commit these words to memory, for there may come a time where they bear a literal Translation.

To us, you are a dear friend, Bella And we have learned to trust in you. May the same sentiments find you as well. On the pocket watch there are words engraved on the inside: "Where there are friends there is Wealth". This Statement represents the most important idea of our organization. It is true that we value adventure, amusement and tradition, but would any of these be worthwhile without Laudable comrades with whom to share them with?

As you are set to begin the final stages of your journey with us we must ask you to think about what true friendship consists of. The answers are certain to help you along your way. The road ahead will be arduous and dark. You will endure much fear, doubt and certain adversity. On this round, clues will not generally be granted to you ahead of time concerning the Details, although we should point out that if you do know the rightful reasoning behind the final challenge and what It is you must prove, It will indisputably make the undertaking that much easier.

We will, of course, contact you at a later time concerning the specifics of your task, but for your sake we hope that you can be ready at a moment's notice for it is very close at hand.

Sincerely yours,

Ťwilight Łeague

"It is not so much our friend's help that helps us, as the confident knowledge that they will help us."

- Epicurus, 3rd Century BC

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OK, so I'm really really happy to report that I have over 200,000 hits on this story! Is that insane or what?! Thanks so much, everyone.

I apologize for not being able to respond to everyone's review, or be able to post sooner, midterm projects got the better of me, but I'm on spring break now! Woo hoo!