"This one makes my butt look so good!"
"Ugh, does this one make me look too fat?"
"You can see my hip bones in this one. I hate it!"
"I could see whatsherface from German class wearing this… better safe than sorry!"
"This dress is way too big. I'd have to get it tailored…"
Alaina found herself at an overpriced dress shop after school with Bella, watching Angela and Jessica try on hideous prom dresses. They nodded, ohh-ed and ahh-ed, and smiled in the right places, as they both wanted to be anywhere but there. Why did I agree to go again? Alaina questioned.
In between dresses, Jessica peppered Alaina with questions about her old school. "So did you have dances at your old school?"
"Yeah, of course. It was just like any other high school," Alaina responded absently, flipping through a prom magazine that was easily a decade old.
"I mean," she said dramatically. "You went to an all-girls school. How could you have dances without boys?"
Alaina groaned. "Jessica, it's not like they locked us in the school twenty-four seven. There were a few boys schools as well that we would have extracurriculars with sometimes. Yeah, there were only girls during the school day, but there was still more than enough time to meet guys. And I like that blue on you. It looks really nice."
Jessica seemed satisfied with that answer and walked back towards the dressing room to try on another outfit. Alaina watched Jessica walk out in a hot pink dress and bright silver shoes. Jessica scrutinized herself in the mirror, playing where her posture to make herself look as thin as possible. That dress wouldn't fit me in a million years, she thought sadly. She became acutely aware of how her hips uncomfortably fit in her too tight jeans. Nothing in this shop would fit me.
"I would have to get this taken in, obviously, but what do you think?"
Alaina stared at the dress thoughtfully and cocked her head. "Hmm," she said. "I think I like the blue one better. It was better for your complexion and it brought our your eyes. Mike looks better in blue, anyways."
Jessica nodded. "I'm glad you're here - you're so right. Bella? What do you think?"
Bella glanced over at Jessica, obviously broken out of her thoughts. "Uhm, it looks nice I guess."
"You said that about the last three dresses," Angela said, walking out of the fitting room in a deep red silk gown. She looked absolutely stunning. "You really aren't in to this, are you?"
"No," Bella admitted sheepishly. "I really just want to go to this book store. I'm going to head there now and meet you for dinner. Alaina, do you want to come with?"
So that's what Bella was up to. Alaina nodded and grabbed her backpack. "Yeah, let's go. Oh, and Angela? Get that dress. You look absolutely gorgeous."
Bella and Alaina left the dress shop and began to walk down Main Street. The wind whipped Alaina's hair wildly around her face, so she flipped her hoodie over her head. "This book wouldn't have anything to do about your crazy theory about the Cullens, would it?"
Bella remained silent, as she turned on her heel to head into an old bookstore, Thunderbird and Whale. "So that's a yes," Alaina mumbled following in behind her. Alaina walked down one of the aisles as Bella spoke with the shopkeeper near the register. The bookstore smelled of vanilla flowers and almonds, as all old bookstores do. She ran her hand across the old titles, stopping when she saw, Spells and Enchantments for your Enemies.
"Picking that up to bewitch Lauren?" Bella said, laughing. She held a paper bag that contained a few large books.
"One can never be too prepared," Alaina shrugged, following Bella out of the bookstore.
The sun was starting to set, casting an eerie dark glow around them. "Did we come this way?" Bella asked.
Alaina paused, looking around. "Honestly, I don't remember. It's still light out, though. Let's try that way first," she said, pointing to her left.
The two girls walked down the street, talking and laughing, enjoying each other's company. They weren't paying attention to the street, and they definitely didn't notice the small group of men that began to follow them.
"So, in Detroit," Alaina said, laughing, "there's this parade that happens every year called Le Nain Rouge, where people dress up like demons and try to…"
"Demons, eh?" A deep voice interrupted, walking in front of them. The two girls stopped dead in their tracks. "Nice girls like you shouldn't dress up like that."
Another man walked up next to him laughing, reeking of stale alcohol. Alaina grabbed Bella's wrist and turned around to walk the other way. Glancing around her, she realized that they were nowhere near Main Street. She also realized, even more terrifyingly, that they were completely alone.
"Hey, wait!" another man in the group yelled, blocking their way. "We were just being polite."
"Get away from us," Bella said quietly, trying to push past the drunk men, but they started to herd us into an alley.
"Come on sugar," he slurred. "Don't be like that!"
Laughter flooded behind them, as someone latched on to Alaina's wrist. She tried pulling away, but she was pulled closer into the group of men. "Let go of me!"
Headlights suddenly flew around the corner, almost hitting the man holding Alaina, forcing him to jump back towards the sidewalk. The car skidded to a stop in front of the girls, and two familiar figures were quickly jumped out of the car.
"Get into the car. Both of you," Edward said dangerously, slamming the car door behind him, Emmett not far behind, moving from the passenger's seat. Bella moved quickly behind Emmett and took his spot in Edward's car. Alaina stayed rigid, paralyzed with fear.
Emmett walked up to her and placed his icy hands on her arms. "Get in," he said desperately, gently pushing her towards the car. The cold palms seem to shock Alaina into life. She turned around suddenly and ran to the car, jumping into the backseat behind Bella.
The two girls sat in a tense silence while they watched the scene play in front of them. Edward and Emmett walked up to the men slowly, deadly. They could head muffled words coming from the men, and then just moments after, they all backed away looking absolutely terrified. Emmett and Edward held their stance, almost cat-like, while they backed away.
"Are you okay?" Bella asked breathlessly when Edward and Emmett turned around to walk back to the car.
Alaina tried to respond, but no words came out. She gave a feeble nod to Bella in the rear view mirror. She realized now that she was safe, but her hands were shaking uncontrollably as if she was in Alaska with no gloves.
You're going to like this.
The memory flashed behind Alaina's closed eyes as she head Emmett slide into the seat next to her. She could feel his gaze on her, but she kept her eyes sealed shut, determined not to think about what happened.
Edward slammed on the accelerator, reversing dangerously fast and sped out on the road. "Are you okay?" he asked through gritted teeth. He furiously weaved in and out of the traffic at breakneck speed.
"Yes," Bella responded, her voice horse. "Are you okay?"
"No," Edward responded curtly, his tone livid. "Distract me, please."
"I'm sorry, what?"
He exhaled sharply. "Just prattle about something unimportant until I calm down," he clarified, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger.
Bella responded quickly, but Alaina was no longer listening. "Bryce… what are you doing?" She said, starting to feel sick to her stomach. His hands on her bare skin was making her flesh crawl.
"Put your seatbelt on," she heard Emmett say quietly next to her, breaking her out of her thoughts. She obliged, clicking the silver buckle in place, her eyes still closed. She could hear the silver Volvo turn off and the door clicking open next to her. As if in a daze, she got out of the car.
"You are so sexy," Bryce growled, his voice forceful and even hungry. He started to take his belt off.
"I'm leaving," Alaina said shakily, trying to grab her shirt. Bryce moved towards her and grabbed her wrist. Alaina flinched from his tight grip.
"Don't be like that, baby. No one ever says no," he said, pushing her against the mirror that was on one wall of the studio. "Besides. I know you want me. You've been trying to flirt with me all of musical and you wouldn't have worn this short of skirt if you weren't asking for it."
"Alaina, are you feeling alright?" Edward asked suddenly, staring deeply into her eyes. It looked like he was trying to read her, his brow furrowed.
Alaina weakly nodded. She instinctively grabbed her left arm with her right hand, gripping it hard, trying to feel something, anything other than the wave of hysteric anxiety dripping through her body. She was too numb; she tried to control her breathing to ward off the most likely inevitable panic attack, but she could feel it bubbling dangerously close to the surface.
"Are you sure?" Edward said again, taking a small step forward towards her, still staring intently into her eyes. She could feel that he was trying to read her, but she did not want to be read. She cleared her mind as best as she could and thought of nothing but her breathing. In… out… in… out…
"Yes," she choked out, no louder than a whisper. Her grip was so tight around her arm, she was starting to lose circulation. She intently focused on her grip, blocking out all thoughts in her mind.
Edward cast a meaningful look at his brother, but only for an instant. "I think it might be best if you took Alaina home."
Emmett shrugged, not noticing Edward's intense stare. "Fine by me. Let's go, Detroit."
Alaina nodded and opened up the car door. She could feel the panic attack inching closer into reality so took deep breaths to try to control her heart rate, but most importantly, to try to keep her mind empty. She didn't want to be transported back to Detroit. Not now. Not here. Not with Emmett.
"Alaina," Bella said, her voice shaking slightly. "Please text me when you get home."
She nodded to her friend and dropped into the car. Emmett walked over to Edward to grab his car keys and she could have sworn she read Edward lips saying don't be stupid. Emmett bounded over to the car and slammed the door behind him. He revved the car to life and they were driving away in an instant.
Alaina focused on her breathing. She couldn't lose control. She had to keep everything together until she got home. She was not about to lose it.
"You're quiet," Emmett stated. It was clear that he was waiting for a response after several moments of uncomfortable silence passed between them.
She shrugged, not knowing what to say.
"What, did we save you too soon? Wanted to show off your cute outfit to those guys?" Emmett asked sarcastically, allowing a small chuckle to escape him.
"Excuse me?" Alaina said slowly, finding her voice. "What did you say to me?"
Emmett seemed started by her outburst. He had experienced her competitive attitude in PE, but this temper was new to him.
"What did you say to me?" Alaina asked again, louder.
Emmett stared at her, stupidly. He opened his mouth to speak, but Alaina cut him off.
"You have no idea what has happened to me or what I've been through. Ever since I met you, you have been nothing but cruel and rude to me, but with what you just said, now I know you're just some stupid meathead who knows nothing. Never, ever speak to me again, Emmett Cullen."
Several miles away, Edward Cullen's mind was flooded with images so painful, he grimaced. He knew everything about why Alaina moved to Forks. Her actions outside of the restaurant now made sense to him and if he had a beating heart, it would be breaking for her.
"Alaina," he whispered, almost silently.
Bella heard him say her name. "What? Did something happen?"
"I'm going to kill Emmett."