Bella was oddly eager for a shopping trip to a point where even her father Charlie took some notice. He checked up on his daughter and he was curious why Bella was a bit fixated on picking an outfit and asked,
"Edwin taking you out again?"
Bella rolled her eyes since Charlie couldn't remember Edward's name.
"Edward and no. His sister wants to take me shopping and I don't want to look so hopeless."
Charlie raised an eyebrow in disbelief. He didn't believe that Bella would be caught up in looking nice for Edward's sister. Edward he would believe since it was clear his daughter liked the guy a lot.
"Really Bella, you don't have to lie to me about your boyfriend. You're responsible I know that and you have your pepper spray if he tries anything funny."
Bella's mouth dropped in horror and her cheeks turned beet red. Of course, Charlie would think that once Bella got a boyfriend but even if so, Edward wasn't that kind of guy.
"Dad god no I 'm not lying. Alice is coming by and I really just want to look nice for my boyfriend's sister. She's pretty much a fashionista and I want to make a good impression."
Charlie just nodded and left his daughter to pick out an outfit for herself. She settled on some jeans, a white peasant blouse, and a blue sweater to suppress the chill that still lingered. Probably not the fanciest she could be but it was a simple shopping trip. Plus, Alice probably would find her some clothes that looked rather nice on her which did get Bella slightly interested. Just spending time with Alice today would be a good day in itself. As soon as she checked herself over, she heard a honk outside. Bella glanced outside and saw a lovely blue Porsche outside. Bella felt butterflies in her stomach but it was a lovely feeling as she grabbed a bag on her way. She walked down the stairs and left the house to walk towards the fanciest car.
Alice got out of the car and hugged Bella with a firm embrace. Bella hugged back and pulled away to look over Alice's outfit. It was simple yet had elegant black tank dress that reached her knees, purple ankle wrapped sandals, a purple choker around her dainty neck, and onyx studs in her ear. Even on a casual shopping trip, Alice looked like an elegant angel and Bella bit her lip nervously.
"Now don't I feel underdressed." Bella joked.
Alice chuckled and shook her head.
"Don't be like that Bella. This is simple for my tastes. Besides, maybe we can find something like this for you on our trip."
Bella nodded and she heard footsteps behind her. She looked to see it was Charlie and he actually cracked a bit of a smile. Bella wasn't lying about going shopping and Alice looked to be a respectful young woman to Charlie.
"You must be Alice. I was actually shocked when Bella told me she was going shopping today."
Bella rolled her eyes but Alice took it all in stride.
"Yeah, well Charlie, I thought it would be fun and Alice offered to find some nice outfits." Bella answered.
Alice smiled and locked her arms in Bella's.
"I'll bring her home before dark Charlie. You can count on me."
Charlie chuckled since she had such energy. He waved his daughter and Alice goodbye as he went back into the house. Alice playfully kissed Bella's cheek before walking her to the passenger side door. Bella's hand reached to where Alice kissed and it felt cool yet tingly to the touch. She quickly put it down before Alice got in the driver's seat. She flashed a smile to Bella before speeding them both off to Port Angeles.
Bella kept close to Alice as they walked the streets since she remembered going off on her own and being surrounded by thugs. It was the afternoon so it was less likely that they would be approached in that manner.
"I see us having a good day, Bella. No worries when you're with me." Alice told her.
Bella smiled a bit but asked,
"How do you have them, your visions I mean?"
Alice chuckled softly and she found Bella's wonder cute. She knew Bella would ask that question and of course, Alice would answer her.
"My visions are based on what decisions are made. I think I mentioned it briefly yesterday, but a decision must be firmly made or an action acted upon so I can see the result. You've made decisions to stay by me and try on outfits I find for you; thus, you will have a good day. Simple as that." Alice told her in a matter of fact yet cheerful tone.
Bella smiled and locked her arms in Alice's, causing Alice's eyes to go soft at the feeling. They made it to one of the dress boutiques and Bella seemed a bit uncomfortable.
"We're not here to pick up a prom dress, are we? I told Edward I wasn't into those kinds of occasions."
"We aren't no, but everyone can use a new dress even if it's just a casual one. Trust me, we would be going elsewhere to get that dress or I can even make it myself. For now, we are just going to try some dresses before we move on to another store for outfits. Let's see, I think I saw a dress that I saw you would love." Alice mused.
Such confidence Bella thought, was that a vampire trait or something Alice possessed loads of in her own right. Alice started removing dresses from the racks and putting them in Bella's arms. At first Bella thought Alice was picking for herself first until she saw Alice squeal a bit at a lovely purple butterfly sleeved ankle dress and commented,
"This was the dress I was looking for you Bells! We will start on this one first before we try on the rest, I picked out for you."
Bella's amusement turned into surprise as she carried a small mountain of dresses. If this was how Alice was in shopping for others, Bella can only imagine how Alice shopped for herself. Bella was speechless as Alice looked at her and took her to the dressing room.
"Okay Bella, get this dress on. Let me know when you're ready for me to zip you up."
Bella just went in without any arguments and placed the small dresses on the hooks in the room. She slowly stripped out of her outfit until she was only in her bra and panties. Knowing Alice was waiting for her outfit made Bella a bit uncomfortable but she pushed the thoughts out of her head. It also occurred to her that Alice probably picked out dresses she would actually like and that soon calmed any feelings of dread and uneasiness. With a slight jump in her movement, she slid on the purple dress with butterfly sleeves. It seemed like a perfect fit but she needed the back zipped up.
"Alice you can come in!" Bella called out.
Alice opened the door and helped to zip Bella's dress. Bella was calm Alice noticed as she zipped up the dress and was able to take in the sweet aroma that Edward must take in when with her. A soft smile came to Alice's red lips as she got the zipper to the top and twirled Bella around to take a better look. The dress made Bella so stunning and it contrasted so well with her pale skin and chocolate locks. Bella's cheeks blushed and crossed her arms, only to have Alice move them to see the sleeves.
"You love this dress don't you Bella?" Alice asked.
Bella couldn't lie, she did love it as Alice saw that she would. It was strange, she didn't remember having this much a good time shopping with Jessica and Angela. Sure, she felt like a dress up doll, but she sorts of liked it since Alice was caring about her.
"I do love it, Alice. Now I'm actually a bit worried."
"Why Bella?" Alice asked, tilting her head.
Bella's blush deepened as she looked at the dresses hung up in her room, motioning them to Alice. She quickly put two and two together and laughed sweetly.
"Oh Bella, you're worried you'll want to take them all?"
"Yea kind of and I don't want to put you out and I don't have much." Bella informed her.
"That is true, very true, and you're going to really need shirts and pants more than dresses. Something tells me you're not comfortable wearing dresses so even if you get one or two dresses here is a win, right?"
Bella looked over the dress she was wearing and smiled. It wasn't too showy, not too slutty, but it shows highlight features Bella didn't even know she had. It made her feel pretty and she knew she had to get this dress if anything. Alice clapped lightly and said,
"You don't need to say anything, I know you are getting this dress! I'm so happy you like my tastes. Now I will go back out and let you try the rest of them and pick out another or two before I look for myself."
Bella chuckled at Alice's excitement but she did as Alice wanted her to. With each dress, Bella did like aspects of some more than others. She did wonder why some dresses were selected since they seemed a bit more than what she was used too. Still, she tried them on for Alice and she complimented her all the same. Yet with dresses that had a plunging neckline it did seem to intrigue Alice much more than others. She studied Bella's body in the dresses so if she needed to, she could help Bella decide on what dresses she would take from here.
Bella decided on the butterfly sleeve dress and a black frill trim ruffle dress. Alice smiled at the choices Bella made but something in her thoughts thought Bella wasn't taking a dress she wanted.
"What about the third dress you really liked?" Alice asked.
Bella was caught off guard since she didn't think Alice would have noticed, but then again that was a foolish thought. Anything to do with clothes Alice was going to notice. Bella tried laughing it off and told her,
"It's really stupid. I don't think I pulled it off well."
It was then Alice realized which one Bella meant. She went through the dresses until she found a red cocktail dress with a plunging neckline that was a bit above the knee. Alice wasn't going to lie to herself, Bella looked great in this but Alice knew it was a confidence issue and not a fit issue.
"Maybe you should try it on again Bella. You never know until you give it a chance." Alice suggested.
Bella can see a glimmer in Alice's eyes and nodded in agreement.
"Okay fine, but you'll need to step out again." Bella told her.
Alice playfully smiled at her and let Bella had her privacy. Bella slowly put the dress on and she oddly felt a sense of warmth when she looked over herself in the mirror. The neckline did show a bit of cleavage true, but Bella liked feeling a bit sexy even if it skirted the line of being uncomfortable too. She played a bit with her hair and twirled around in it before feeling ready to step out of the room. When she did, Alice was blown away by how Bella looked. She somehow looked better in the dress than what she foresaw and wondered what caused the change.
"Oh yes, you definitely need to get this dress. But you will need to hide it from Charlie or he will never let you leave."
That of all things caused Bella to laugh since this dress would give some people ideas, especially Edward. She would get it she thought to herself and was already thinking of when she would wear this. Alice smiled as she removed the extra clothes from the dressing room.
"Now it's my turn and I will give you some warning Bella, we will be here awhile before we go on to the next store."
Bella thought as much, but she didn't care as she was having fun for once. Alice made her feel confident and want to try new things. Shopping could be fun with the right people, even if Alice made her try on dozens of dresses. While Alice was trying on dresses, Bella went in the store to see if there would be a dress she could pick out for Alice to try on. Alice had done a lot for her with her dresses, so she felt like she should return the favor. Bella came across a nice emerald backless dress with short lace sleeves. This seemed like Alice's style Bella thought and took it off the rack. She got back to the dressing room and knocked on the door.
"You have a dress for me Bella?"
She had to get used to this Bella thought, but it didn't bother her at all.
"Yeah, I did Alice. I think it would look nice on you."
Alice opened the door slightly so Bella could slide the dress in the room. In no time at all, Alice came out and was beaming in the dress. The emerald green complimented her pale almost marble skin and it hugged her body so closely. It was short enough to fit her spritely physique and demeanor and Alice felt even more beautiful in this dress.
"Oh, Bella I love this! Thank you for finding it. I can't believe I missed this." Alice exclaimed as she looked over herself in the mirror.
"Well, you can't make decisions until actions are also made right. Maybe the dress being right front and center could mean you wouldn't see it and pick it yourself."
Alice mused at that thought but she was happy they each picked out dresses for each other. It felt good having a friend other than Rosalie and Alice could see that their friendship would open up Bella a lot more.
"Well, I know what I will be getting. Let's make our purchases and go on to the next store."
"Next store?" Bella questioned.
"Of course, we need new outfits as well. More so since you don't like the cold right and Forks does get chilly even in summer. We have to make sure you're styling but also comfortable."
Bella couldn't argue with Alice, but she didn't want to. This day was already one of the better ones in her life and she was looking forward to more times like these and getting even closer with the sister of her beloved Edward.