AN: Thanks for the amazing new followers. If you're reading this and enjoying it, hit that follow and favorite button for updates. And thanks for the reviews, keep them coming. You guys are very appreciated! Love ya. Enjoy!
Chapter 7 - Spas and Ex-Factor
Spa - finding health through cleansing and water
Ex-Factor - a former partner in a relationship
Bella and Alice go back to the dorm room after lunch once Carlisle checks over Bella once again, confirming she could go to classes starting tomorrow morning. Bella couldn't believe Dr. Carlisle was simply another human. Carlisle looks more like a model than a doctor. He has collar-length blond hair and is 6'2", with a well-toned medium frame and gentle blue eyes. Bella could only describe Carlisle as looking like a modern classic movie star. She could see why many nurses cannot concentrate on their work while he is around. Carlisle is slight but muscular and has a slight English accent. Alice mentioned Dr. Carlisle and Headmistress Esme were somewhat together, possibly, probably but it was secret. Only a few knew of that since they tend not to act like a couple in public, keeping things private.
"Ok, why don't you go shower and get ready for bed."
"I don't have any PJs with me."
"It's ok, I always have more clothes than I need, and my pink shower caddy is in the shower stall, feel free to use everything and anything in it from body wash to shampoo and conditioner. I know you used the hand soap in the sink this morning. You could use my stuff. I think I have a new puff around here somewhere." Alice pulled out a fresh pair of VS blue Henley cotton top with blue and pink plaid flannel pants. She ripped off the price tags and handed them to Bella. She held up a silver and blue puff loofah.
"Thanks. I will pay you back somehow."
"No problem, I will set up everything for you when you get back."
"Set up what?"
"Your makeover of course! Spa Sundays! " Bella frowned. "Oh trust me! You are going to love it!"
Bella returned, feeling fresh and clean. Alice had a modern black chaise lounge chair set up waiting for Bella. It was still early in the evening, just after 7, though Bella felt completely drained. She was wiping her wet hair. Alice forced Bella into the chair. She took over squeezing more water out of Bella's hair. With a snap of her fingers, candles were lit around the dorm room.
"So, first, I will fix your hair so you won't have to fuss tomorrow or all week for that matter, then I will do your facial, and your nails."
"Nails? Facial? Alice, that is unnecessary. Seriously, I don't need this."
"Nonsense, I am happy to do it. Just relax. It will go faster if you do." Bella rolled her eyes. Alice started combing Bella's long hair. "I miss long hair."
"I like your hair, it suits you." Alice smiled.
"I know right!" Alice completely detangled Bella's hair. "Oh, you're going to stand out so much once I am done with you."
"Uh Alice, I really don't want to stand out."
"Bella, everyone knows you're here. They saw what you did on the field against Edward. And I know everyone felt what you did tonight at dinner. I still got goosebumps. Trust me, tomorrow, you want to look good."
"But I don't..."
"Oh please, Bella, you're gorgeous."
"'But I'm not."
"You really don't see yourself." Alice opened her vanity drawer and pulled out some hair serum after she squeezed enough water. She quickly ran the blow dryer through Bella's head before applying more oil and braiding up Bella's hair with strips of cloth and wrapping her head with a silk scarf.
Bella was impressed how quickly Alice did her hair. Alice opened her beauty box. It was filled with things such as nourishing face masks, face serums, journals, jade rollers, candles, meditation guides, herbal teas, nail polishes, soothing bath salts, and so much more. Alice was all about happy life through self-care. She always loved to give her mind, body, and soul a little TLC magic. She hoped with these therapeutic products that take away all Bella's stress, anxiety, uncertainty, and tension. Self-care is self-love. Bella watched a tea kettle go off.
"Oh goodie. Do you like tea or hot chocolate?"
"Uh, hot chocolate."
"Great! Let me make you a nice cup of ashwagandha hot chocolate. It will help you relax." Alice forced Bella to lay back a bit while she made the cup. Bella sipped on the cup, loving each sip taking away any anxiety.
"So why was that girl, Rosalie glaring at you."
"It's a long story." Bella looked at Alice.
"I have plenty of time, since you, spa kidnapped me." Alice smiled.
"Ok! I will tell you because I know we're going to be best friends."
"Best friends?"
"Yup!" Alice took a deep breath; she mixed a few masks for Bella's face. "So, Rosalie kind of hates me."
"Kind of?" Bella took another sip.
"Ok, she wishes I was dead and has tried to a few times."
"What... why?"
"Well, when she dumped Emmett the hot guy with her last year, we sort of hooked up."
"What?" Bella gasped.
"Drink," Alice said, pointing to the cup.
Alice could remember even today the first time Emmett walked past her and their eyes locked. He had just gone through another public breakup with the beautiful vampire Rosalie. But instead of sulking, Emmett was prowling. Emmett could get any girl he wanted as a vampire himself since he was equally as handsome as any vampire. Emmett is very tall, well over 6 feet, very burly, and very intimidating to the students at Cullen Falls Boarding School and some vampires.
When Alice first came to Cullen Falls Boarding School, she was a shy girl. She had long brown hair and dressed like every other girl on campus. She refused to stick out so when the popular Emmett put his arm around her in the library and kissed her in front of everyone. She felt special for the first time in her life.
There were many times over the following few days, Emmett and Alice were hanging out as a couple. They would fight in the halls and horse around in the yard or during gym class. Emmett acted happy and carefree, dragging Alice around behind him by her hand. His arms around her, kissing the top of her head. Alice was his girl, or at least she thought.
About a week after Emmett started showing Alice attention, she had a weird dream. During the next day, she can't shake the feeling something is wrong. Alice was in the library waiting on Emmett when a vision hit her hard. She can see Emmett and Rosalie talking. Rosalie was yelling at Emmett, Emmett telling Rosalie how much he loves her and misses her. Emmett confesses he is only with Alice to make Rose come back. Emmett would do anything to get back together. Rosalie smiles and kisses Emmett.
"So, what… was the vision real?" Bella asked, breaking Alice's flashback.
"Well, I found them together that night, and I...I sort of lashed out. Magic can be unpredictable when out of control and I was angry. I thought my vision was real. Emmett didn't even try to deny he wanted Rose back. And the way she smirked at me when I asked what was going on."
Alice shook her head, breaking her memories of how mad she got that day. How dangerous she was that day yelling about her visions and sending a fury of magical bursts at them for hurting her. Emmett was lucky Rosalie was good with magic and Edward was quick to jump in and shut down Alice's mind with his powers. Rosalie immediately started to call Alice crazy and the nickname, Crazy Alice began.
"Yeah, we kissed a few times, and it was great to have his attention, but I should have known someone like Emmett would never truly want someone like me."
"Alice there is nothing wrong with you."
"Well, Rosalie hates me nonetheless."
"Yeah, back to Rosalie hating you. If she's back with Emmett, why still hate you?"
"Because they break up all the time and yet I was the only girl who can say I got with Emmett for a bit."
"But that's on him, not you."
"You know what really sucks. I didn't want to believe Emmett was just using me, kissing me to make Rosalie jealous back then. I genuinely thought he liked me, Bella."
"I'm sorry."
"It's ok. I shaved my head and got over it." Bella's eyes went wide.
"Damn." Alice chuckled.
"I was a bit dramatic with that, but I hated looking like every other long brown girl here." Alice waited until Bella finished her cup before she started Bella's facial.
"That sucks. They deserve each other. That Rose shouldn't be upset with you. She broke up with him. He was free to do whatever. It's his fault, he sought you out. He gave his attention to you."
"It doesn't matter now." Alice used magic to steam Bella's face. While the steam worked Bella's face to open, Alice quickly cleaned and buffed her toenails. She finished with a simple French nail before moving back to Bella's face. While the milk mask worked on Bella's face, Alice moved quickly to Bella's hands, giving her a quick manicure clean.
"Red, or pink. Or.."
"Something neutral?"
"Fine, boring French tips," Alice said.
"So, I saw there's another door to the left…"
"Yeah, that side is the boy's room of Twilight Tower. We have a few guys over there. Edward has his own room on that side along with a large group dorm room like ours."
"Edward is here? In this Tower?"
"Yeah, I told you he is special and doesn't fit one fraction. It's better in this tower, fewer people, fewer minds to hear and read."
"So, he can't turn it off?"
"Yeah, you'll hear loud music or a piano playing when it's too much and he needs quiet," Alice added the final moisturizers to Bella's face.
"So, tell me something about yourself, your friends."
"Oh, I didn't have many friends back home.
"Really."
"Actually, I had 1, maybe 2, but we rarely hung out, and I doubt they even cared if I went missing. I was always the accident-prone crazy new girl everywhere I went. It's easy not to get attached when you move every 2 or 3 years," Bella said. She sighed. "Growing up in the foster system every time I got sent somewhere new, I'd hope that this would be the right place. You know, like, uh, yes, this is my home. Just somewhere I belonged. But it never was. You know, and you can only hold out hope for so long and be hurt by so many people before it starts to seem impossible to trust that home can ever be found."
"Well, you don't have to worry about that again."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I am the crazy one here," Alice said causing Bella to chuckle. "And this can be your home. I mean, I found one here, who can say this won't be your home too." Bella smiled. "And don't worry about being seen as crazy, because you know I knew my crazy was actually magic even from the very beginning." Alice looked over her work. Bella yawned. "Come, you're tired." Bella shook her head though she did yawn again. "Bella, we have all the time in the world to talk more. You need to get a good night of sleep. Classes here aren't easy. They are going to want to test you straight away. You should get some sleep." Alice helped Bella up and into bed. Bella smiled. She got comfortable under the covers. Alice snapped her fingers, and the candles blew out. "Good night bestie."
"Good night."